Orlando City SC showed grit and growth last Saturday, grinding out a hard-earned 0-0 draw at Philadelphia Union to claim our first clean sheet of 2025. Despite key midfielders César Araújo and Eduard Atuesta being unavailable, the Lions rallied to extend their unbeaten run to four games (2-2-0).
Now back on home turf and buoyed by a strong defensive display, City will look to keep the momentum rolling against familiar foes. Just four MLS games ago, Orlando City SC and New York Red Bulls played out a 2-2 draw in Harrison, New Jersey, and with last season’s bitter Eastern Conference Final loss still fresh, this one carries extra edge. Both sides come into the contest in good form. Red Bulls are fresh off a 2-1 win over in-form Chicago Fire, while City are looking more solid and settled with each passing game. Another step forward here could keep the Lions firmly in the playoff mix, albeit at this early stage of the season.
Last time out
Last Saturday, Orlando City SC earned their first clean sheet of 2025 in a hard-fought 0-0 draw at Philadelphia Union, extending our unbeaten run to four games (2-2-0). Missing central midfield duo César Araújo and Eduard Atuesta, untested pairing Dagur Dan Thórhallsson and Joran Gerbet stepped up with a sterling shift, helping the Lions show real grit to contain one of the Eastern Conference’s top sides. At the start of Matchday 7, Orlando City SC had leaked the joint-most goals (12) in MLS, but we defended El Pulpo’s goal really well, limiting Philadelphia Union to long-range, low-percentage looks all night long. Crucially, Pedro Gallese made four strong saves to preserve the shutout, while Luis Muriel came close to snatching a winner on 70 minutes. Earlier, Marco Pašalić should’ve punished Union right before half-time, but Andre Blake denied him with a huge last-ditch save. It wasn’t vintage City in the final third, but Oscar Pareja’s side still looked capable of nicking a classic ‘Papi special’. With Colin Guske also making his MLS debut late on, we stood tall under pressure to claim a valuable point. Ultimately, taking four points from a tough two-game away swing is something we can all be happy with.
Last head-to-head
On March 15, Orlando City SC’s early-season defensive struggles continued in an action-packed 2-2 draw at New York Red Bulls, where the Lions twice surrendered the lead. A stunning strike from Martín Ojeda and a well-taken Marco Pašalić goal weren’t enough, as Eric Choupo-Moting’s dubious penalty and Dennis Gjengaar’s equaliser saw City drop points again. The match saw Joran Gerbet make his first MLS start, stepping in for the absent César Araújo. Meanwhile, Luis Muriel’s deeper false nine role continued to free up City’s attack, allowing Pašalić and Ojeda to play more directly through the middle rather than relying on our left wing for production.
What’s at stake this time?
Seven games in, Orlando City SC sit sixth in the East, just four points (11 points) behind leaders Columbus Crew (15 points). After years of slow starts, 2025 is already looking way more convincing and assured. Now we’ve secured our first clean sheet of the season, this gives us a strong platform to build on. At Union, David Brekalo impressed at left centre back, showing that Papi’s more cautious, conservative 3-4-2-1 setup can work away from home. Right now, Oscar Pareja’s side are playing with real purpose – and with memories of last year’s Eastern Conference Final loss still fresh, this rematch with Red Bulls offers a big chance to outwit Sandro Schwarz and make a statement. It was a 2-2 draw just four MLS games ago, but this time City will be hungry for more. Red Bulls arrive boosted by a 2-1 win over in-form Chicago Fire, but with the Lions unbeaten in four and growing in belief, a win here could keep the momentum rolling and ease the pressure later in the season.
Opposition danger men
Emil Forsberg (3 goals, 1 assist – 2025 MLS)
Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting (3 goals, 1 assist – 2025 MLS)
Peter Stroud (0 goals, 2 assists – 2025 MLS)
Injuries
Kyle Duncan (knee) – questionable
Daniel Edelman (hamstring) – questionable
Raheem Edwards (knee) – questionable
Cameron Harper (knee) – questionable
Roald Mitchell (knee) – out
Marcelo Morales (knee) – questionable
Lewis Morgan (knee) – out
César Araújo (lower leg) – questionable
Eduard Atuesta (thigh) – questionable
Wilder Cartagena (right leg) – SEI
Favian Loyola (thigh) – out
Nicolás Rodriguez (thigh) – questionable
Yutaro Tsukada (knee) – SEI
*SEI – Season-Ending Injury List (Unavailable)
Suspensions
None
…
Orlando City SC vs New York Red Bulls
Last 3 head-to-heads
- 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)
- March 15, 2025: New York Red Bulls 2 Orlando City SC 2 (MLS)
2015/25 head-to-head stats
- It was 2-2 the last time the sides met (March 2025)
- Played Red Bulls 23 times in MLS – Orlando 8, Draws 4, Red Bulls 11
- Red Bulls have won 2 of the last 3 MLS head-to-heads 0-1 / 1-0
- Orlando have scored at least 2 goals in 5 of their last 6 MLS fixtures
- Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting has scored in 3 of Red Bulls’ last 4 MLS fixtures (3 goals)
…
Watching the game
Orlando City SC vs New York Red Bulls will be shown live on Apple TV at 21:30 (GMT) on Saturday, April 12.
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.
…
Support Orlando City UK
Passionate about what we do, Orlando City UK content will always be free. The most important thing for us is sharing our love of Orlando City SC with you all and donations are by no means expected. However, if you enjoy our content, a token towards the regular maintenance of Orlando City UK is hugely appreciated!
