After putting in the perfect road performance to prevail 0-2 at Columbus Crew, Oscar Pareja‘s Orlando City SC now face New York Red Bulls back at Exploria Stadium.
Achieving a two-game sweep over the Lions in 2021, Red Bulls were one of only two MLS teams to defeat the Lions in Orlando last season.
Right now, Orlando City SC supporters are buoyant after witnessing a truly complete performance at Columbus Crew.
Soaking up lots of first-half pressure from Crew, Orlando City SC grew into the game with Rodrigo Schlegel scoring his first City goal on 37 minutes.
A crucial time to score, Crew, who were already in a two-game scoreless slump, grew agitated with Pedro Gallese saving 3 of Columbus’ 17 shots across the ninety.
As they say in soccer, you must take your opportunities when they present themselves, and that’s exactly what Orlando City SC did.
On 51 minutes, Orlando City SC landed a sucker punch on Crew.
With Ercan Kara scoring undoubtedly City’s prettiest goal in Major League Soccer so far, the play was a joy to behold.
Kara’s second City goal in as many games, the Austrian’s right footed shot past Eloy Room followed an incredible passage of intricate interplay.
Mauricio Pereyra‘s incisive pass forward started it off. Then Facundo Torres and Júnior Urso combined for a neat one-two.
Urso’s pass forward was expertly cushioned by Pereyra, then deftly flicked by Kara into Torres who deftly flicked it back into Kara who swivelled before unleashing a right footed shot past Room.
A sublime team goal that had shades of this Jack Wilshere goal for Arsenal against Norwich City in 2013, the play probably eclipses Will Johnson’s goal after unchallenged tiki-taka passing at Montreal Impact in 2019.
Besides this beauty of a goal, new boys César Araújo, Ercan Kara and Facundo Torres are now gelling very nicely.
All looking astute acquisitions, Orlando City SC will now look to put pressure on Eastern Conference leaders Philadelphia Union.
As for Sunday’s opponents New York Red Bulls, Gerhard Struber’s side are winless in two after drawing 0-0 with FC Dallas last weekend.
Orlando City SC vs New York Red Bulls – 2015/21 head-to-head stats
Last facing New York Red Bulls in July 2021, Orlando City SC‘s full week of rest didn’t count for much against determined and confident opposition.
Prior to this second 2021 meeting, Gerhard Struber’s Red Bulls were the only MLS side to defeat City in 10 fixtures.
The Harrison, New Jersey side made it a two-game sweep thanks to goals from Cristian Cásseres Jr. and Fábio.
With both goals split by a 59th minute Chris Mueller equaliser, Orlando City SC had regrets at full-time.
Especially considering that Mauricio Pereyra had missed a first-half penalty to tie a 0-1 deficit.
Orlando City SC will hope to have Red Bulls’ number in 2022.
Orlando City SC 1 New York Red Bulls 2 – Highlights – July 3, 2021 (Credit: Major League Soccer)
Beating Orlando City SC not once but twice last season, New York Red Bulls now hold EIGHT MLS wins to City’s FIVE.
In last season’s first meeting, Caden Clark and Cristian Cásseres Jr. scored either side of the half giving the Lions a mountain to climb.
With City suiting up in the 2021 Orlando City SC Adidas PRIMEBLUE jersey instead of purple, substitute Silvester van der Water almost stole a road point in Harrison, New Jersey.
Entering the game in the 63rd minute, the Dutchman grabbed his first Orlando City SC goal on 84 minutes before skying 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 we referenced at the beginning of this blog, New York Red Bulls beat Orlando City SC not once but twice last term.
At the centre of both results was Venezuela international midfielder, Cristian Cásseres Jr..
The 22-year-old scored in each of the two head-to-heads last term. This included a sublime free-kick in the May 29 meeting.
Shooting just outside of City’s 18-yard box, Cásseres Jr. bent his free-kick high into the top left hand corner.
Not even “El Pulpo” himself Pedro Gallese could do anything about this golazo.
Orlando City SC form
He had to wait until his seventh game to grab his first Orlando City SC goal but Ercan Kara is now motoring.
A prolific goalscorer in Austria, Kara now has TWO goals in his last TWO City games.
Perhaps this is a sign of what is to come.
Notching against Chicago Fire and Columbus Crew, strikers live for goals.
The 26-year-old is now playing with the confidence and freedom that comes from finally opening his MLS account.
Columbus Crew 0 Orlando City SC 2 – Highlights – April 16, 2022 (Credit: Major League Soccer)
New York Red Bulls form
Okay, the bad news heading into Orlando City SC vs New York Red Bulls is this particular stat.
In year three of Oscar Pareja‘s City tenure, it seems the Lions have mastered the “Papi special” away from home.
In other words, playing a low block, staying compact, and letting our attacking weapons punish the opposition on the counter.
However, New York Red Bulls certainly know how to handle themselves on the road too.
Red Bulls are perfect on the road so far this season, winning THREE road games from three.
Defeating San Jose Earthquakes (1-3), Toronto FC (1-4) and New England Revolution (0-1), this game should be an intriguing tactical battle between Messrs Pareja and Struber.
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