What a special group this Orlando City SC squad appears to be! After defeating Florida rivals Inter Miami 1-2 on Friday, Oscar Pareja‘s Lions now face New York Red Bulls at home.
Achieving three wins from three in just six days, confidence is sky-high at Orlando City SC right now with many MLS pundits claiming we’re the team to beat in the Eastern Conference.
It’s difficult to disagree with them too. After all, Orlando City SC have only lost one game so far in 2021.
That defeat (2-1) ironically came against this weekend’s opponents New York Red Bulls. Gerhard Struber’s side visit Exploria Stadium after drawing 0-0 at Atlanta United last Sunday.
The most pleasing thing about being an Orlando City SC supporter right now is the team’s determination, hunger, and belief.
Right now, Orlando City SC aren’t necessarily weaker for rotating the squad – and that’s huge!
Sure, the Lions were far from their best in large periods against Inter Miami. However, a fatigued Orlando City SC still managed to finish strong.
Boasting one of the most stacked rosters in Major League Soccer, the half-time substitutions of Benji Michel and Chris Mueller worked wonders.
With Oscar Pareja rolling the dice early, this dynamic duo injected some much-needed pace and incisiveness into the Lions’ performance.
It ultimately culminated in Chris Mueller and Nani scoring sensational goals to seal a memorable comeback.
Not only that but it was City’s first ever victory in enemy territory at DRV PNK Stadium.
Understandably, Orlando City SC looked leggy last Friday, especially after contesting three games in six days.
Now receiving a full week’s rest, Orlando City SC will attempt to get revenge on New York Red Bulls and push for the Eastern Conference summit.
Orlando City SC vs New York Red Bulls – 2015/21 head-to-head stats
The only real blot on Orlando City SC‘s sensational season so far, New York Red Bulls won 2-1 the last time the sides met in May.
With the Lions suiting up in the 2021 Orlando City SC Adidas PRIMEBLUE jersey instead of purple, City met a determined Red Bulls side in Harrison, New Jersey.
With Caden Clark and Cristian Cásseres Jr. scoring either side of the half, Orlando City SC were facing a mountain to climb after the hour mark.
In fairness to City, and in a running theme this season, the Lions never gave in.
After a mostly lacklustre display, 63rd minute substitute Silvester van der Water injected the game with more impetus.
With the Dutchman grabbing his first City goal in the 84th minute, the 24-year-old skied a golden chance to equalise just four minutes later.
New York Red Bulls 2 Orlando City SC 1 – Highlights – May 29, 2021 (Credit: Major League Soccer)
As you can see, Orlando City SC vs New York Red Bulls is a super competitive Eastern Conference game series.
With only TWO draws in FOURTEEN overall meetings, Red Bulls hold a two-win advantage over the Lions.
In SIX visits to Exploria Stadium, New York Red Bulls have won TWICE, drawn ONCE, and lost THREE times however.
So we already established that Orlando City SC vs New York Red Bulls games are super competitive.
True to that theme, both sides have scored in the last THREE MLS head-to-heads.
This included the October 2020 meeting at Red Bull Arena (1-1) where a point helped the Lions 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.
New York Red Bulls 1 Orlando City SC 1 – Highlights – October 18, 2020 (Credit: Major League Soccer)
Orlando City SC form
Whereas Orlando City SC games were lower scoring in April and May, Lions fixtures have been packed with more goals lately.
Indeed, there have been OVER 2.5 GOALS scored in Orlando City SC‘s last FOUR MLS fixtures.
With Daryl Dike and Nani returning to the squad for the 2-3 victory over Toronto FC on June 19, City’s squad isn’t short on firepower this season.
This was on full display for City’s 5-0 rout of San Jose Earthquakes on June 22 before the 1-2 comeback over Inter Miami last Friday.
Inter Miami 1 Orlando City SC 2 – Highlights – June 25, 2021 (Credit: Major League Soccer)
New York Red Bulls form
The good news for Orlando City SC heading into this one is that Gerhard Struber’s New York Red Bulls are poor travellers.
Losing FOUR of their FIVE away fixtures in MLS this season, their first road point came at Atlanta United (0-0) last Sunday.
Going 4-1-5 in ten games so far this season, New York Red Bulls don’t appear to be the same side away from Red Bull Arena.
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Don’t forget, Orlando City SC vs New York Red Bulls will be shown LIVE on FreeSports in the early hours of Sunday morning at 00:35 (GMT).
GOOD NEWS 🚨 | @OrlandoCitySC 🆚 @NewYorkRedBulls is LIVE on @FreeSports_TV in the early hours of next Sunday morning. 😁👍🏽📺⚽️
VIEW OUR TV TRACKER 📺: https://t.co/KV9JvpAA0o#ORLvRBNY #OrlandoCity #RBNY #MLSUK pic.twitter.com/C84j0y3Y46
— Orlando City UK 🌈 (@Orlando_CityUK) June 28, 2021