Finally sealing our first MLS win of the season with a deserved 2-0 victory against Austin FC, Oscar Pareja‘s Orlando City SC now contest a second successive home game at Inter&Co Stadium, this time against New York Red Bulls.
Currently third in the Eastern Conference on 10 points, Sandro Schwarz’s Red Bulls come into this game extremely confident after annihilating a Lionel Messi-less Inter Miami 4-0 at Red Bull Arena last weekend.
Last time out
Last Saturday, Orlando City SC defeated Austin FC 2-0 at Inter&Co Stadium to finally seal our first MLS win of 2024.
And what a relief it was!
Heading into the game winless in four MLS games, scoreless in three, and second bottom in the Eastern Conference, something had to give.
Having to deal with seven international absentees, Oscar Pareja handed Jack Lynn his first MLS start alongside Luis Muriel.
A makeshift solution, Kyle Smith made his second successive start in defensive midfield on his 150th Orlando City SC appearance too.
In a cagey first-half lacking genuine quality, Luis Muriel did at least look industrious, attempting to force a breakthrough with several solo charges upfield from deep.
With Austin FC content to play bunker and counter, Orlando City SC were the protagonist, only for many of our plays to break down in the final third – the sorry tale of our poor season so far.
After huffing and puffing, the Lions finally forced the breakthrough on 42 minutes.
A great time to score, it was heartwarmingly Jack Lynn who scored his first ever Orlando City SC goal on his first ever MLS start.
Seizing his big opportunity in Duncan McGuire‘s absence, Lynn headed home a dangerous Dagur Dan Thórhallsson cross from point-blank range (1-0) to spark an outpouring of joy and relief throughout Inter&Co Stadium.
After all, it was only the third MLS goal we’ve scored so far this season.
With Jack Lynn hanging right on the shoulder of the last Austin FC defender, replays showed that he was offside in truth.
Fortunately for City however, referee Esteban Rosano ruled that the goal would stand after Inter&Co Stadium held its breath.
The all-time leading goalscorer in MLS NEXT Pro’s young history with 34 goals, Jack Lynn‘s first MLS goal for Orlando City SC had been a long time coming.
Buoyed by their 1-0 half-time lead, Orlando City SC reassuringly started the second-half in a determined, dominating mood.
On the night, Dagur Dan Thórhallsson was simply outstanding, tirelessly fashioning several chances with his dynamism and ingenuity down the right wing.
With City peppering the Austin FC goal in waves, Brad Stuver was barely given a minute’s peace after the break.
Leading Major League Soccer in saves made so far this season, Stuver showcased cat-like reflexes to impressively claw away a deflected Martín Ojeda shot on 58 minutes.
As Orlando City SC relentlessly chased a second goal, this finally came just after the hour mark.
After Esteban Rosano called handball on Jhojan Valencia on 62 minutes, up stepped Nicolás Lodeiro to take a dangerous free-kick on the edge of Los Verdes’ box.
Bending a deliciously accurate strike beyond Brad Stuver (2-0), it was an outstanding way for the Uruguayan to score his first MLS goal for City.
A free-kick that started out wide of Stuver’s right hand post, it expertly bent on frame in the nick of time.
Top bins indeed!
Showcasing his signature celebration by taking off his boot and putting it to his ear like a phone, this is a longtime tribute to his father who sadly passed away back in 2011.
By performing this celebration, Lodeiro keeps his father’s memory alive by calling him in heaven.
After Lodeiro’s tremendous free-kick rippled the net, all was starting to feel right again for Orlando City SC.
Covering the most ground on the night (eight miles), there’s no denying that Nicolás Lodeiro is still fighting fit with a tremendous engine at 35-years-old.
After going 2-0 up, Orlando City SC showcased fantastic game management to professionally close out the final half-hour with virtually no stress.
If the truth be told, stand-in Mason Stajduhar was untroubled against Austin FC throughout the entire 90+ minutes in Pedro Gallese‘s absence.
A professional, determined, and deserved win we can be proud of, our 2024 MLS regular season is now finally off the ground!
Let’s hope it’s just the start ahead of bigger tests to come.
Last head-to-head
The last time that Orlando City SC faced New York Red Bulls in MLS, the Lions emphatically won 0-3 at Red Bull Arena.
On June 3, 2023, this comprehensive win extended City’s MLS unbeaten streak to five games with Facundo Torres netting twice in Harrison, New Jersey.
On 18 minutes, Iván Angulo broke the deadlock with a clinical finish (0-1) courtesy of an assist from Wilder Cartagena.
Angulo’s third goal of the season and his first since April 15, our Colombian winger also contributed an assist in the second-half.
Torres doubled City’s lead from the penalty spot on 52 minutes (0-2) after a foul from Sean Nealis.
Going scoreless in May, Facundo Torres was relieved to slam home this PK, but it didn’t take him too long to bag his fourth goal of the season thereafter.
Like London buses, El Cuervo found the net again, twenty minutes after converting his penalty past Carlos Coronel.
Adding some gloss to the scoreline, it was Iván Angulo who orchestrated City’s third with a breathtaking solo run forward before squaring for Torres’ 72nd minute goal (0-3)
A win that completed a 2023 MLS sweep over Red Bulls, the hosts’ cause wasn’t helped when Andrés Reyes received a second yellow card and red on 47 minutes.
With City only leading 0-1 at the time, Oscar Pareja‘s team took full advantage of playing against a weakened Red Bulls side with only 10 players on the field.
What’s at stake this time?
Now that Orlando City SC have secured their first MLS victory of 2024, they have finally shaken off that monkey from their back.
Losing three consecutive MLS games prior to facing Austin FC, this streak must’ve been weighing heavy on the players’ minds.
Experiencing that winning feeling again, hopefully this puts us in good stead to begin games more confidently and build a winning streak.
Knocking on the door all night against Austin FC, Luis Muriel is clearly very hungry to score his first Orlando City SC goal.
That will no doubt come before too long.
After all, the Colombian international striker has looked menacing in recent games, demonstrating his quality by running at opposition defenders, unsettling them, and getting dangerous shots on goal.
Currently thirteenth in the Eastern Conference, Orlando City SC will now be aiming to climb the standings as quickly as possible following our poor start.
Opposition danger men
When it comes to New York Red Bulls danger men, attacking midfielder Emil Forsberg is undoubtedly one to watch.
A Designated Player who has been handed the number #10 jersey at Red Bull Arena, the 88-cap Swedish international is the Red Bulls’ biggest signing in quite some time and a throwback to marquee additions of old.
Joining from RB Leipzig in the off-season, the 32-year-old already has one goal and one assist in four Major League Soccer appearances.
During Forsberg’s short time in North America so far, Red Bulls head coach Sandro Schwarz has deployed the four-time Swedish Midfielder of the Year as the number 10 in a 4-2-3-1 formation and at left wing in a 4-4-2 formation as well.
Besides Emil Forsberg, Lewis Morgan is another big threat in the opposition ranks.
Sidelined for almost all of 2023 due to a hip injury, the 27-year-old Scottish international has recently returned to the Red Bulls fold with a bang.
Having already scored five times this season in March wins against Houston Dynamo (1-2) and FC Dallas (2-1), plus a hat-trick against his former side Inter Miami (4-0), Morgan now wears the number #9 jersey and is either deployed in his favoured left wing position or further forward as a support striker.
In Red Bulls’ 4-0 demolition of Inter Miami last Saturday, it’s worth noting that Belgian striker Dante Vanzeir incredibly registered all four assists too.
Last but not least, I think John Tolkin is a top player as well.
Having won four caps for the USMNT, the 21-year-old left back is someone who I think will eventually earn a transfer to Europe like Matt Miazga, Tyler Adams, and Kyle Duncan before him.
New opposition faces
Compared to the last time Orlando City SC faced New York Red Bulls in MLS, there aren’t too many new faces in Red Bulls’ ranks.
That said, they do have a new head coach in Sandro Schwarz.
Appointed back on December 14, 2023, the German was head coach of a Hertha Berlin side that eventually got relegated from the Bundesliga in 2022/23 after a 10-year stint in the top division.
Besides Emil Forsberg who we already spoke about, New York Red Bulls also have a new centre back in Noah Eile.
Signed permanently from Malmö FF back in January, the Sweden Under-21 international has started in every MLS game he’s been available for so far this season (5 games).
Beyond this Swedish duo, Norway Under-19 international winger Dennis Gjengaar holds a U22 Initiative spot on Red Bulls’ 2024 roster.
Joining from Norwegian side Odd back in February, the 20-year-old has made one MLS start and one appearance from the substitutes bench so far.
Injuries, international returnees, and suspensions
Heading into this game, Ramiro Enrique (right ankle) is out for Orlando City SC with César Araújo (right ankle) listed as questionable.
In more positive news, Orlando City SC have these seven players available again after returning from recent international duty unscathed.
| PLAYER | NATIONAL TEAM |
| David Brekalo | 🇸🇮 Slovenia |
| Wilder Cartagena | 🇵🇪 Peru |
| Pedro Gallese | 🇵🇪 Peru |
| Favian Loyola | 🇺🇸 USMNT U-19 |
| Duncan McGuire | 🇺🇸 USMNT U-23 |
| Abdi Salim | 🇸🇴 Somalia |
| Facundo Torres | 🇺🇾 Uruguay |
Having missed the Atlanta United game on March 17 due to his one-game suspension, Wilder Cartagena is now available for selection again.
As for New York Red Bulls, striker Cory Burke (groin) and Emil Forsberg (hamstring) are questionable for Sandro Schwarz’s side.
That said, Carlos Coronel (Paraguay), Noah Eile (Sweden U-21), and John Tolkin (USMNT U-23) are in contention again after recent international duty.
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Orlando City SC vs New York Red Bulls
Last 3 head-to-heads
- August 13, 2022: New York Red Bulls 0 Orlando City SC 1 (MLS)
- February 25, 2023: Orlando City SC 1 New York Red Bulls 0 (MLS)
- June 3, 2023: New York Red Bulls 0 Orlando City SC 3 (MLS)
2015/23 head-to-head stats
- It was 0-3 to Orlando the last time the sides met (June 2023)
- Played Red Bulls 19 times in MLS – Orlando 8, Draws 2, Red Bulls 9
- Orlando have won all of the last 3 MLS head-to-heads ‘to nil’
- Eight of Orlando’s last 9 MLS fixtures have finished ‘to nil’
- In his last 4 MLS appearances for Red Bulls, Lewis Morgan has scored 5 goals
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Watching the game
Orlando City SC vs New York Red Bulls will be shown live on Apple TV at 23:30 (GMT) on Saturday, March 30.
Remember, UK supporters can watch all of Orlando City SC‘s 2024 MLS regular season fixtures by subscribing to Apple TV’s “MLS Season Pass”.
Subscribe now by clicking here.
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