After securing a 1-1 draw at Chicago Fire, Oscar Pareja’s Orlando City SC stay on the road to take on New York Red Bulls for the second and final time this MLS regular season.
Enduring a forgettable season so far, the Lions are really struggling to propel themselves up the Eastern Conference. Currently five points adrift of seventh place and an automatic qualification spot for the 2024 MLS Cup Playoffs, everything is proving to be a grind this year.
Actually earning more points on the road (11 points) than at home (6 points) so far this regular season, this gives City some hope heading to Red Bull Arena – but don’t get it twisted! Sandro Schwarz’s side currently sit fourth in the Eastern Conference and come into this game buoyed after a 3-1 home win against Charlotte FC yesterday – their third victory in four MLS games following a long rain delay.
Last time out
Despite taking a 0-1 lead into half-time, Orlando City SC were pegged back in a 1-1 draw at Chicago Fire yesterday.
Ultimately, our recurring Achilles heel is our inability to finish off teams when we’re in control.
A back-to-back draw for Fire following a four-game losing streak, Frank Klopas’ side are now winless in their last nine MLS matches.
Given this poor form, it’s highly disappointing that Orlando City SC couldn’t take all three points in a season that continues to go nowhere fast.
Limited to one goal or fewer for the fourth consecutive match, the Lions have really found goalscoring a big problem this year.
Scoring the third fewest goals (16) in the Eastern Conference, there was early positivity when Facundo Torres broke his goal drought in just the fourth minute at Soldier Field.
It was truly one of the most comical goals Major League Soccer has produced all season – one that was hugely embarrassing for Chicago Fire.
The MLS Twitter account even deleted their original tweet of the goal to save face!
Look away now, Frank Klopas!
After a smart defence-splitting pass from Luis Muriel found Iván Angulo on Fire’s byline, Angulo cut the ball back across the penalty area.
The ball reached Facundo Torres, but El Cuervo got it stuck under his feet at the top of the six-yard box, losing possession in turn.
A failed clearance by Chicago Fire then allowed Luis Muriel to get involved, leading to the mother of all scrambles inside the Fire penalty area.
With Fire players desperately throwing themselves at the ball to clear it from danger, and City players lunging in to score, it was truly like a pinball machine in there!
Despite Mauricio Pineda initially blocking Iván Angulo’s shot, Facundo Torres eventually found the net with his left foot.
In comical circumstances, it was Pineda who blasted a clearance right into Kellyn Acosta’s midriff, inadvertently deflecting the ball right to Torres.
Torres then swivelled and placed a shot inside Chris Brady’s far post to give Orlando City SC the lead (0-1).
Only El Cuervo’s second MLS goal of the season, and his first since scoring at CF Montréal back on April 20, the Uruguayan felt mighty relieved to break his duck.
A happy hunting ground for Facundo Torres, it was the 24-year-old’s second MLS goal at Soldier Field in as many seasons.
More significantly, it was Facu’s 25th MLS regular season goal, eclipsing Dom Dwyer and Kaká for the third-most goals in club history.
As the first-half progressed however, Chicago Fire began creating more opportunities.
Especially when Tom Barlow stung Pedro Gallese‘s palms on 18 minutes, albeit in a play that was offside.
Then, on 21 minutes, Hugo Cuypers nearly equalised for the hosts after a fortuitous bounce.
However, the Belgian somehow conspired to drag his shot just wide of Gallese’s goal from penalty spot range.
Inviting more Fire pressure, Federico Navarro carved through Orlando City SC’s defence on 42 minutes.
Fortunately however, Pedro Gallese managed to deflect the Argentine’s shot away at full stretch.
After this, controversy ruled in first-half stoppage time.
Indeed, the entire coaching staff and players of Orlando City SC erupted in shouts for a penalty when Iván Angulo was brought down in the box by Federico Navarro.
Racing clear through on Chris Brady’s goal, Brady’s outstretched leg didn’t catch Angulo but Navarro’s right leg definitely made contact with Angulo’s left.
A play that would’ve seen Angulo tap into an empty net if Navarro hadn’t fouled him, some may argue that Angulo should’ve been strong enough to retain his balance and score.
However, when you’re moving at high speed like Angulo, the slightest contact can knock you off balance.
For me, it’s telling that Apple TV’s seven-minute game highlights conveniently left out this play!
With Kyndra de St. Aubin and Tyler Terens both calling penalty in their live commentary, the Lions were right to feel hard done by in this moment.
Not for the first time either at Soldier Field after being PRO’d by referee Ismir Pekmic back in March 2022.
While referee Malik Badawi initially missed the foul on Angulo, what seemed mighty suspect was the officials’ decision not to have Badawi consult the VAR monitor afterwards.
The decision not to award a clear penalty for this stonewall foul, along with a potential red card for the denial of a goalscoring opportunity (DOGSO), left Orlando City SC players and staff fuming as we entered half-time.
A pivotal moment in the game, it seemed inevitable that Fire would equalise, given they had the best of the second-half.
And it was Hugo Cuypers who had another opportunity to level the score on 67 minutes, capitalising on a turnover from Iván Angulo.
Fire’s Maren Haile-Selassie picked up a loose ball in midfield, finding Cuypers at the top of the box, only for David Brekalo to get in a crucial interception.
After threatening a goal all evening, Hugo Cuypers finally breached the net on 70 minutes.
But he really shouldn’t have done.
After Haile-Selassie slid an inch-perfect pass behind Dagur Dan Thórhallsson to Arnaud Souquet down the left flank, the Frenchman cut the ball back to Cuypers inside the City box.
Not to be denied, the Belgian sent a one-touch shot past Pedro Gallese, slipping the ball right through El Pulpo’s fingertips.
Usually so adept at performing reaction saves with his cat-like reflexes, it was a super disappointing moment.
The expression on the Peruvian’s face said it all, with Gallese’s fall from grace being one of the most surprising stories across all of MLS this year.
Despite his struggles in MLS, with just three goals in 15 games prior to yesterday, Orlando City SC allowed Hugo Cuypers to look dangerous all evening.
From here, Fire and City both had chances to steal a win in the final quarter of the game.
Jonathan Dean and Brian Gutiérrez both flashed shots narrowly past Pedro Gallese’s goal while Luis Muriel nodded a Facundo Torres cross right into Chris Brady’s palms.
A 2020 MLS SuperDraft pick for Orlando City SC, former UCF Knights defender Dean would’ve been especially motivated to score.
Then, entering three minutes of second-half stoppage time, Ramiro Enrique showed City supporters what we’ve been missing since his injury.
Effortlessly shimmying past Mauricio Pineda and Fabian Herbers down the left wing, Enrique split the Fire duo with supreme skill.
He then set off on a fearless solo run forward that almost resulted in a game-winning golazo.
Also losing Carlos Terán en route to goal, the Argentine’s eventual strike sailed just inches wide of Chris Brady’s goal.
As Frank Klopas and Oscar Pareja shook hands after the 1-1 draw, it was evident that each point didn’t really help either side in their current predicaments.
Last head-to-head
The last time that Orlando City SC faced New York Red Bulls in MLS, the Lions salvaged a 1-1 draw at Inter&Co Stadium back on March 30.
In the first-half, the Lions bossed possession 55% to 45% but it was the visitors who frustratingly went into the break 0-1 up.
On the night, Oscar Pareja persisted with a central midfield duo of Kyle Smith and Nicolás Lodeiro despite César Araújo and Wilder Cartagena being available again.
On 20 minutes, the dangerous Lewis Morgan sprinted into the City penalty area, getting his toe to the ball milliseconds before Kyle Smith felled him.
While The Accountant gestured a dive to Victor Rivas, the referee pointed to the penalty spot on a night where PRO Referees returned to officiate Major League Soccer games.
Making no mistake from the spot, Scottish international Morgan clinically dispatched his PK past Pedro Gallese for his sixth MLS goal of the season (0-1).
To their credit, Orlando City SC rallied afterwards to play protagonist in the game, pressuring Red Bulls and forcing a flurry of first-half corners.
While Red Bulls were penned back in their half and content to counter, we still lacked fluidity with our attack looking blunt.
Ultimately, throughout the entire 90+ minutes, we failed to get many quality looks on Carlos Coronel’s goal.
On the night, Sean Nealis and Kyle Duncan were rock solid in the Red Bulls defence, looking typically energetic and determined to protect their lead.
In truth, Red Bulls could’ve doubled their lead on 58 minutes where Robin Jansson got in a last-ditch interception to deny Dennis Gjengaar after neat work from Frankie Amaya and Dylan Nealis.
On 79 minutes, Red Bulls definitely should’ve doubled their lead when sub Elias Manoel dragged a gilt-edged chance wide of Pedro Gallese’s goal after racing clear of the City defence and facing up El Pulpo one on one.
Looking back, this miss was significant because it probably would’ve sealed all three points for the visitors.
Thankfully for Orlando City SC, Elias Manoel’s miscue let us off the hook at a crucial stage in the game.
Despite Oscar Pareja moving Facundo Torres into the number 10 position to make a second-half impact, El Cuervo still struggled to make any creative inroads.
When it looked like we could play until midnight and still not score, we finally found the equaliser on 89 minutes.
After Iván Angulo got to the byline, he fired a low cross into the Red Bulls box.
Causing confusion at Carlos Coronel’s near post, it initially looked as if Jack Lynn deftly flicked Angulo’s cross home for his second goal in as many games.
But it was actually Noah Eile who the ball deflected off last (1-1).
Officially an own goal from the Red Bulls substitute, there was relief all around Inter&Co Stadium with this equaliser saving City from suffering two home losses from three.
What’s at stake this time?
Following yesterday’s 1-1 draw at Chicago Fire, Orlando City SC have dropped from tenth to eleventh place in the Eastern Conference, tallying just 17 points from 15 games played.
This was after Nashville SC pulled off a shock 0-2 victory against high-flying FC Cincinnati, propelling them up into ninth place in the last MLS Wild Card match slot.
While Orlando City SC currently trail ninth place by only two points and seventh place by five points, you have to be concerned about the direction City is heading.
Failing to secure back-to-back MLS victories all season long, our 2024 campaign has been a grind at best and a complete mess at worst.
And to think, we entered 2024 with many supporters, pundits, and analysts tipping us for a tilt at 2024 MLS Cup!
Sure, we may still find a way to creep into the 2024 MLS Cup Playoffs, but this Orlando City SC side is a far cry from the one that finished the 2023 MLS regular season with nine wins from their final 12 games.
Hopefully, Facundo Torres’s goal at Chicago Fire gives him confidence to start scoring more.
Subdued all season long, his lack of attacking output has recently seen him deployed as a left wing back – a role nobody anticipated.
Usually coming good for Orlando City SC in the second half of MLS campaigns, he needs to become our talisman all year round.
Another silver lining is that Robin Jansson returned from his recent ankle injury to start yesterday’s game at Soldier Field.
Considering that David Brekalo was named in Slovenia’s 30-man provisional squad for UEFA Euro 2024, he could be set to be missing over the next month or so.
Therefore, Jansson’s fitness and availability will be key as Orlando City SC attempt to survive the busy and gruelling MLS mid-season schedule.
That said, Robin Jansson will frustratingly miss this Saturday’s game at New York Red Bulls due to yellow card accumulation.
This is after he picked up his fifth yellow card of the MLS season at Chicago Fire.
Remarkably, all five yellow cards have been due to dissent – a disciplinary issue that our club captain urgently needs to fix.
Last but not least, Duncan McGuire’s return should boost the Lions too.
On Tuesday, McGuire was pictured boarding a Chicago-bound flight at Orlando International Airport (MCO).
Although he didn’t figure in the Fire game, we understand that Big Dunc will be in contention for this Saturday’s game at New York Red Bulls.
And we should all enjoy Duncan McGuire while he’s still around!
Not only because Blackburn Rovers and Legia Warsaw are pursuing him, but also because he will likely join the USMNT U-23 side in France for their participation in the 2024 Summer Olympics this July / August.
After all, Big Dunc was named in the USYNT U-23 squad yesterday ahead of their June pre-Olympics training camp.
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 wears 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 currently has six goals and three assists in 13 Major League Soccer appearances so far.
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 returned to the Red Bulls fold with a bang this year.
Having already scored nine MLS goals so far this season, including a hat-trick against his former side Inter Miami (4-0) in March, Morgan now wears the number #9 jersey and is either deployed in his favoured left wing position or further forward as a support striker.
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.
Injuries and suspensions
Heading into this game, Michael Halliday (right knee) and young Homegrown Player Tahir Reid-Brown (left thigh) are both definitely out for the Lions.
Duncan McGuire (shoulder) is questionable but he did travel to Harrison, New Jersey for this game.
As we mentioned earlier, Robin Jansson is suspended for this game due to yellow card accumulation.
As for New York Red Bulls, Ronald Donkor (hip), Roald Mitchell (knee), Serge Ngoma (knee), and Peter Stroud (ankle) are all definitely out of this game.
Elsewhere, Kyle Duncan (illness), Cameron Harper (hamstring), and Andrés Reyes (foot) are all questionable for Sandro Schwarz’s side.
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New York Red Bulls vs Orlando City SC
Last 3 head-to-heads
- 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)
- March 30, 2024: Orlando City SC 1 New York Red Bulls 1 (MLS)
2015/24 head-to-head stats
- It was 1-1 the last time the sides met (March 2024)
- Played Red Bulls 20 times in MLS – Red Bulls 9, Draws 3, Orlando 8
- Red Bulls are unbeaten at Red Bull Arena so far this MLS season (4-2-0)
- In Emil Forsberg’s last 2 MLS appearances at home, he has scored 3 goals
- Orlando are unbeaten in their last 5 away fixtures in MLS (3-2-0)
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Watching the game
New York Red Bulls vs Orlando City SC will be shown live on Apple TV at 00:30 (GMT) on Sunday, June 2.
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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