Just a week on from our frustrating 2-1 defeat at New York City FC, Orlando City SC now head across the Hudson River to face their rivals, New York Red Bulls, at the renamed Sports Illustrated Stadium. This marks the clubs’ first meeting since last season’s painful Eastern Conference Final, where Red Bulls ended our 2024 MLS Cup dreams.
City enter this one still searching for defensive solidity, having conceded eight goals in three games. Despite some encouraging signs at Yankee Stadium, self-inflicted mistakes proved costly again. Now, with captain Robin Jansson back, the Lions will be desperate to tighten up, make a statement, and most importantly, take revenge. As for Red Bulls, they drew 0-0 at Atlanta United last Saturday following a 1-0 loss at FC Cincinnati and a 2-0 win over Nashville SC.
Last time out
Last Saturday, Orlando City SC suffered a frustrating 2-1 loss to New York City FC at Yankee Stadium, extending our winless run in The Bronx to seven years and our overall winless streak against The Pigeons to six games (0-2-4). The Lions created some good chances but were wasteful throughout, failing to capitalise before and after Kevin O’Toole’s late red card. After Alonso Martínez’s opener, Luis Muriel’s first goal of 2025, assisted by Marco Pašalić for his first MLS assist, briefly levelled the match on 69 minutes. But just a minute later, Pedro Gallese carelessly spilled a rebound, gifting Hannes Wolf the winner. The most frustrating part? NYCFC did little to earn their goals. Both felt like gifts rather than brilliance. Gallese’s face at the end of the game said it all! In an even game, he knew deep down that his mistake cost us the match.
Last head-to-head
On November 30, Orlando City SC’s 2024 MLS Cup dream ended with a heartbreaking 0-1 loss to New York Red Bulls in our first-ever Eastern Conference Final. Despite an electric Inter&Co Stadium atmosphere, Andrés Reyes’ goal and missed chances proved decisive. With many top seeds eliminated, this felt like the Lions’ best-ever opportunity to win MLS Cup. On 64 minutes, goalscorer Reyes avoided a clear second yellow card for a high challenge on Duncan McGuire. Referee Rosendo Mendoza’s inconsistency was highlighted when Sean Nealis was booked for a clear foul just minutes later. With no VAR intervention, this controversial decision compounded our frustration, though it wasn’t the sole reason for our defeat.
What’s at stake this time?
With eight goals conceded in three games, tightening up defensively is now Orlando City SC’s biggest priority. Despite our defeat at NYCFC, we looked sharp, committed, and tidy in possession – signs of a good team – but costly self-inflicted mistakes continue to hurt us. The return of captain Robin Jansson is a boost, as we’re typically more organised with the experienced Swede in the lineup. Now, City will be out for revenge against Red Bulls, who ended our MLS Cup dreams last season. After our heartbreaking 2024 Eastern Conference Final loss, Oscar Pareja’s side will be eager to avenge the pain we felt last November.
Opposition danger men
🇸🇪 Emil Forsberg (9 goals, 5 assists – 2024 MLS)
🇻🇪 Wikelman Carmona (3 goals, 3 assists – 2024 MLS)
🇨🇲 Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting (0 goals, 0 assists – 2025 MLS)
New opposition faces
🇵🇦 Omar Valencia (New York Red Bulls II)
🇺🇸 Adri Mehmeti (New York Red Bulls II)
🇨🇲 Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting (free agent)
🇩🇪 Alexander Hack (free agent)
🇺🇸 Tanner Rosborough (New York Red Bulls II)
🇵🇱 Wiktor Bogacz (Miedź Legnica)
🇨🇦 Raheem Edwards (free agent)
🇺🇸 Tim Parker (free agent)
🇨🇱 Marcelo Morales (Club Universidad de Chile)
🇦🇬 Aiden Jarvis (New York Red Bulls II)
Injuries
🇵🇱 Wiktor Bogacz (back) – out
🇬🇭 Ronald Donkor (shin) – out
🇺🇸 Kyle Duncan (knee) – out
🇺🇸 Cameron Harper (knee) – out
🇺🇸 Adri Mehmeti (thigh) – questionable
🇺🇸 Roald Mitchell (knee) – out
🇨🇱 Marcelo Morales (knee) – out
🏴 Lewis Morgan (knee) – out
🇺🇸 Serge Ngoma (abdominal) – questionable
🇬🇭 Mohammed Sofo (groin) – out
🇸🇮 David Brekalo (shoulder) – questionable
🇵🇪 Wilder Cartagena (right leg) – SEI
🇨🇱 Favian Loyola (thigh) – out
🇺🇸 Duncan McGuire (shoulder) – questionable
🇨🇴 Nicolás Rodriguez (thigh) – out
🇯🇵 Yutaro Tsukada (knee) – SEI
*SEI – Season-Ending Injury List (Unavailable)
Suspensions
None
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New York Red Bulls vs Orlando City SC
Last 3 head-to-heads
- March 30, 2024: Orlando City SC 1 New York Red Bulls 1 (MLS)
- June 1, 2024: New York Red Bulls 1 Orlando City SC 0 (MLS)
- November 30, 2024: Orlando City SC 0 New York Red Bulls 1 (2024 MLS Cup Playoffs)
2015/24 head-to-head stats
- It was 0-1 to Red Bulls the last time the sides met (November 2024)
- Played Red Bulls 22 times in MLS – Red Bulls 11, Draws 3, Orlando 8
- Red Bulls have won the last 2 MLS head-to-heads 0-1 / 1-0
- There have been under 2.5 goals scored in 5 of Red Bulls’ last 6 MLS fixtures
- Orlando have conceded at least 2 goals in their last 3 MLS fixtures
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Watching the game
New York Red Bulls vs Orlando City SC will be shown live on Apple TV at 18:30 (GMT) on Saturday, March 15.
Remember, UK supporters can watch all of Orlando City SC’s 2025 MLS regular season fixtures by subscribing to Apple TV’s “MLS Season Pass”.
Subscribe now by clicking here.
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