After completely dismantling FC Cincinnati 3-0 in a hugely convincing performance, Orlando City SC stay home to take on New York City FC.
The 2015 expansion rivals’ first meeting since that game in the 2020 MLS Cup Playoffs, it’s second (New York City FC) versus third (Orlando City SC) near the top of the Eastern Conference summit.
This game is a great opportunity for Orlando City SC to further convince everybody that we’re a shoe-in to reach the 2021 MLS Cup Playoffs.
While there’s still a long, long way to go, Orlando City SC are unbeaten in three games and have coped well with several players missing.
With Robin Jansson and João Moutinho on the bench for last Saturday’s win over FC Cincinnati, their stand-in counterparts shouldn’t necessarily be dropped for this game.
Indeed, Rodrigo Schlegel and Kyle Smith have looked impressive in three starts so far, and this says a lot about the newfound depth on Oscar Pareja‘s roster.
The Lions can draw more encouragement from the fact Nani has scored two spectacular strikes in as many games.
With 2021 being the third and final year of his current contract, our Portuguese captain is showing no signs of slowing down at the age of 34.
As for our next opponents New York City FC, Ronny Deila’s side have responded well since a 2-1 defeat at D.C. United on opening weekend.
Scoring seven without reply since, The Pigeons thrashed FC Cincinnati 5-0 before running out impressive 0-2 winners at Philadelphia Union last weekend.
With NYCFC looking for revenge after that ludicrous post-season game that lasted 3 hours, 14 minutes last November, all eyes will be on Exploria Stadium for this meeting of two solid Eastern Conference rivals.
Orlando City SC vs New York City FC – 2015/20 head-to-head stats
Orlando City SC have enjoyed some epic battles with 2015 MLS expansion rivals New York City FC over the years.
But none were as epic as both sides’ last meeting – Orlando City SC‘s unforgettable 6-5 triumph over NYCFC on penalties in the 2020 MLS Cup Playoffs.
Remembered for right and wrong reasons, this now infamous shootout took a crazy 23 minutes to complete!
The man of the hour was Rodrigo Schlegel who famously suited up in Pedro Gallese‘s goalkeeper uniform to deny Guðmundur Þórarinsson from the spot – pure theatre!
With Benji Michel eventually killing off NYCFC with Orlando City SC‘s seventh and decisive penalty kick, this game was heart-stopping and the Lions’ most dramatic in MLS to date.
Orlando City SC 1 New York City FC 1 (A.E.T.) (6-5 on penalties) – Highlights – November 21, 2020 (Credit: Major League Soccer)
Facing New York City FC more than any other MLS opponent, the Lions and The Pigeons enjoy a keenly-contested rivalry.
Being 2015 expansion rivals, most Orlando City SC supporters place NYCFC somewhere just beneath Atlanta United and Inter Miami on their list of most-loathed teams.
Over the years, this game series has been super-tight with Orlando City SC boasting SEVEN MLS victories to New York City FC’s FIVE.
With FIVE draws having been played out too, you can see that this Eastern Conference clash is often very closely fought.
Last season’s aforementioned shootout wasn’t the first time Orlando City SC have defeated NYCFC on penalties either.
Just a season earlier, in 2019, the Lions defeated New York City FC 5-4 on penalties.
This was in the 2020 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup quarter-finals – the famous Running of The Wall game!
New York City FC supporters must be sick of the sight of Chris Mueller who thrives on games against The Pigeons.
Last season, the United States international scored THREE goals against New York City FC across THREE head-to-heads.
Opening the scoring in October 2020’s regular season meeting at Exploria Stadium, he haunted NYCFC prior to that in the #MLSisBack Tournament.
Bagging a quick-fire brace in the group stages, more and more MLS fans took notice of Cash from this point.
New York City FC 1 Orlando City SC 3 – Highlights – July 14, 2020 (Credit: New York City FC)
Orlando City SC form
Despite Orlando City SC going two games without a win, there was still a feeling of satisfaction regarding our defensive resilience.
Now three games into 2021, and having earned our first victory, our defensive record is looking mighty strong.
Indeed, Gianluca Busio’s 45th minute opener at Sporting Kanas City is the only goal we’ve conceded in 270+ minutes.
And even that goal was avoidable after some casual play from Pedro Gallese in goal.
This form is all the more impressive considering first choice defenders Robin Jansson and João Moutinho still await their first starts of the season.
Orlando City SC 3 FC Cincinnati 0 – Highlights – May 1, 2021 (Credit: Major League Soccer)
New York City FC form
Despite Héber’s knee injury keeping him out of action, both Valentín Castellanos and Jesús Medina have been carrying the goalscoring fight.
So much so that Castellanos has as many goals as New York City FC fixtures so far this Major League Soccer season.
Scoring in each of NYCFC’s first THREE MLS fixtures, Argentine forward Castellanos is somebody the Orlando City SC defence need to marshal carefully this weekend.
As for Medina, the reborn Paraguayan forward also has THREE goals in his last TWO New York City FC appearances.
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Don’t forget, Orlando City SC vs New York City FC will be shown LIVE on FreeSports on Saturday evening at 23:05 (GMT).
GOOD NEWS 🚨 | @OrlandoCitySC 🆚 @NYCFC is LIVE on @FreeSports_TV late on Saturday evening. 👏🏽😄⚽
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— Orlando City UK (@Orlando_CityUK) May 3, 2021