Damn, it feels good to be an Orlando City SC supporter right now! After defeating Toronto FC 1-0, the Lions sit second in the Eastern Conference and are still unbeaten in six fixtures.
Boasting a game in hand on leaders New England Revolution too, Oscar Pareja‘s side now visit New York Red Bulls full of hope and expectation, despite Alexandre Pato and Daryl Dike‘s continued absence.
The most satisfying element of Orlando City SC‘s season so far? Our newfound defensive resilience.
Conceding just two goals in 540+ minutes of Major League Soccer action, Orlando City SC‘s defence has been incredible this season.
Earning two consecutive 0-1 / 1-0 victories, over D.C. United and then Toronto FC, this tells you everything you need to know about the team’s never-say-die attitude.
In Rodrigo Schlegel and Kyle Smith, the Lions now have two original depth pieces performing so well, they’re undroppable at the moment.
Huge credit must also go to Tesho Akindele. Leading the line in Alexandre Pato and Daryl Dike‘s absence, the Canadian has two goals so far and continues to be a pest for opposition defences.
This is all amid the backdrop of captain Nani currently serving a harsh two-game suspension for an incident involving referee Alex Chilowicz at D.C. United.
This game at New York Red Bulls represents the second and final game of Nani‘s suspension with the 34-year-old in contention for the June 19 game against Toronto FC.
As for Red Bulls, Gerhard Struber’s side are tenth in the East with six points from six games.
The Harrison, New Jersey-based side did win their last two home fixtures 2-0 however.
Elsewhere, Orlando City SC will have a temporary change of colour scheme for this MLS fixture at Red Bull Arena.
Indeed, the Lions will wear the limited edition 2021 Orlando City SC Adidas PRIMEBLUE jersey during this game.
With Red Bulls wearing a white Adidas PRIMEBLUE jersey too, these eco-friendly jerseys form part of an environmental awareness initiative between Adidas and Major League Soccer.
New York Red Bulls vs Orlando City SC – 2015/20 head-to-head stats
The last time Orlando City SC faced New York Red Bulls, the Lions earned a point that helped seal MLS Cup Playoffs qualification for the very first time.
City’s point alone wasn’t enough to qualify. However, Toronto FC’s 1-0 victory over Atlanta United the same October 18 evening punched the Lions’ ticket to the post-season.
On the night at Red Bull Arena, Nani‘s 56th minute penalty seized the initiative for Oscar Pareja‘s side.
It was a goal set to decide City’s own fate in reaching the MLS Cup Playoffs. However, a last-gasp 95th minute leveller from Brian White broke the Lions’ hearts.
Had Orlando City SC held on, it would’ve been City’s second successive 0-1 victory in Harrison in as many visits.
New York Red Bulls 1 Orlando City SC 1 – Highlights – October 18, 2020 (Credit: Major League Soccer)
This has been an extremely competitive Eastern Conference game series so far. New York Red Bulls hold a one-win advantage over Orlando City SC to date.
The aforementioned 1-1 draw in October 2021 was only the second draw in 13 individual meetings.
With draws being a rarity, Orlando City SC‘s most recent victory over Red Bulls (3-1) came on October 3, 2020.
With Daryl Dike and Júnior Urso goals putting the Lions in complete control by the 50th minute, City made life difficult for themselves.
Allowing a self-inflicted Florian Valot reply on 54 minutes, it temporarily looked as if Oscar Pareja‘s side might pay for not totally killing the game off.
Those fears were eased late in stoppage time however.
Breaking up the field, Antônio Carlos tapped a Benji Michel centre into an empty net, a goal that was temporarily held up due to video review.
It was the Brazilian’s first ever goal as an Orlando City SC player.
Orlando City SC 3 New York Red Bulls 1 – Highlights – October 3, 2020 (Credit: Major League Soccer)
If you’re looking for an enemy in the opposition ranks, that man is New York Red Bulls striker Brian White.
The 25-year-old forward has made a habit of scoring against Orlando City SC in recent campaigns.
With White’s aforementioned stoppage time strike denying City all three points last season, he struck again in July 2019.
His solitary strike was enough to earn Red Bulls a 0-1 victory at Exploria Stadium during James O’Connor‘s reign.
New York Red Bulls form
The USMNT recently announced their 23-player roster for the CONCACAF Nations League and it was stacked with talent.
Despite Daryl Dike missing out, the 20-year-old has plenty of time on his side. So too does New York Red Bulls’ 17-year-old sensation Caden Clark.
Playing beyond his years in MLS so far, Clark is Red Bulls’ top goalscorer this season with THREE strikes.
All THREE goals were scored in each of New York Red Bulls’ last three home fixtures at Red Bull Arena.
These goals came in an opening day defeat to Sporting Kansas City (1-2), and the two home victories over Chicago Fire (2-0) and Toronto FC (2-0).
New York Red Bulls 2 Toronto FC 0 – Highlights – May 8, 2021 (Credit: Toronto FC)
Orlando City SC form
Sure, we’ve had two nervy finishes! However, it’s been super satisfying seeing Orlando City SC grab six points courtesy of two consecutive 0-1 / 1-0 victories.
Besides the Lions’ comprehensive 3-0 victory over FC Cincinnati, FIVE of Orlando City SC‘s SIX fixtures have seen UNDER 2.5 GOALS being scored.
With Orlando City SC‘s defensive performances coming on leaps and bounds, we’re one of the toughest nuts to crack in Major League Soccer.
Long may our unbeaten start to the 2021 season continue!
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Don’t forget, New York Red Bulls vs Orlando City SC will be shown LIVE on Sky Sports Football (red button) on Saturday evening at the early time of 18:00 (GMT).
You can view our TV Fixture Tracker by clicking here.
🙌🏽 Finally on @SkySports! 🙌🏽@NewYorkRedBulls 🆚 @OrlandoCitySC coming up on @SkyFootball at the early UK time of 6️⃣PM next Saturday! ⚽️👏🏽🦁
VIEW TV TRACKER 📺: https://t.co/H08xiJxvGz #OCTwitter #RBNYvORL #OrlandoCity #VamosOrlando #RBNY #MLSUK pic.twitter.com/PKW6WDwurd
— Orlando City UK (@Orlando_CityUK) May 23, 2021