Burkina Faso
Czech Republic
Lithuania
Montenegro
Nigeria
North Macedonia
United Arab Emirates

Orlando Cityvs.NY City

sportsmole.co.uk, 18 July 2024, 22:29
New York City FC can claim consecutive victories against Orlando City in the same MLS regular season for the first time since 2018 when the two sides clash on Saturday at Inter & Co Stadium.

The Lions are coming off an impressive 3-0 triumph at Nashville SC earlier this week, moving them up to seventh in the Eastern Conference, four points below the Pigeons, who are fifth after erasing a two-goal deficit and claiming a 2-2 draw versus Atlanta United.

Match preview

Finally, we see Orlando City begin to reach the potential many thought it could at the beginning of this season, winning four consecutive matches in this competition.

Oscar Pareja's men have done it in style, too, outscoring their four opponents this month by a combined margin of 13-2.

July has been good to the Lions over the past couple of seasons, with this team winning seven of their previous eight encounters this month and their only defeat occurring away to Real Salt Lake last year (4-0).

Their victory on matchday 24 equalled the longest winning run for them in this competition from each of the two previous domestic campaigns, and another triumph this weekend would mark their longest MLS winning streak since 2018 (six).

It has been tough going for them at Inter & Co Stadium domestically this year, as the Lions have won the joint second-fewest home games in the league (three), though they enter this encounter on a two-match winning run in Orlando.

Orlando City can post consecutive clean sheets at home this weekend for the first time all year, which would also mark the first time they do so since their opening two games of the 2023 domestic campaign.

New York City were behind early on Wednesday and suffered another blow just minutes before the interval but managed to fight their way back and earn a point.

On four occasions this year, the Boys in Blue have come back to claim a result despite conceding the opening goal, claiming eight points.

Their resilience has kept them within range of a top-four position in the Eastern Conference, a point behind their arch-rivals, the New York Red Bulls.

Conversely, NYCFC have failed to win four regular-season contests in 2024 when netting first, dropping 10 points in the process.

With a win or draw this weekend, Nick Cushing's men will match their longest unbeaten run away from home in MLS this season (three).

NYCFC are unbeaten in four consecutive matches versus the Lions but have not won an away game against them in the regular season since 2018 (2-0).

Orlando City Major League Soccer form:

W

L

W

W

W

W

New York City FC Major League Soccer form:

L

W

W

L

D

D

Team News

The Lions will be without Mason Stajduhar for the remainder of the season through injury, and Michael Halliday is doubtful because of a knee issue.

Their second-leading goalscorer, Duncan McGuire, has joined the United States squad ahead of the Olympics and will not feature for Orlando this weekend.

Cesar Araujo netted his first of the domestic campaign against Nashville in midweek, which held up as the winner before an own-goal by Alex Muyl gave them some insurance late in the opening half and Ramiro Enrique scored late in the second half, his third of 2024.

Earlier this week, the Boys in Blue were missing Andres Perea through injury, and Malachi Jones was unavailable after breaking his tibia weeks ago.

James Sands is eligible to return from suspension, Thiago Martins, Santiago Rodriguez, Kevin O'Toole and Tayvon Gray could all be available after they were rested against the Five Stripes, while Maxi Moralez came on as a substitute on Wednesday, having previously missed time with a sore leg.

Second-half strikes from Monsef Bakrar and Talles Magno rescued them in midweek, with the Brazilian converting a penalty nine minutes from the end, his first of the 2024 campaign.

Orlando City possible starting lineup:

Gallese; Thorhallsson, Schlegel, Jansson, Smith; Araujo, Cartagena; Torres, M. Ojeda, Lodeiro; Enrique

New York City FC possible starting lineup:

Freese; Ilenic, Martins, Risa, O'Toole, Sands, Parks; Fernandez, Rodriguez, Wolf; Martinez

We say: Orlando City 2-1 New York City FC

New York City are winless in their last four MLS away matches, conceding multiple strikes in two consecutive road games, while the Lions are firing on all cylinders at the moment, which we believe will propel them to another triumph this weekend.

Previews by email
Show more

Top News

25 March 2025 talksport.com Former England manager Glenn Hoddle was impressed by Morgan Rogers' 'wonderful' performance against Latvia. 25 March 2025 talksport.com Mark Clattenburg has opened up on the explosive interactions he shared with some of the Premier League's most iconic managers. 25 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Former Tottenham Hotspur and current Anderlecht defender Jan Vertonghen has confirmed that he will be retiring from football at the end of the season. 25 March 2025 talksport.com Dan Ashworth is set to make a surprise return to the FA after leaving Manchester United. 25 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Liverpool are reportedly aware what it will take to sign Inter Milan defender Alessandro Bastoni during the summer transfer window. 25 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Barcelona have reportedly identified five potential replacements for defender Jules Kounde. 25 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk England Women's head coach Sarina Wiegman has confirmed a 25-player squad for April's UEFA Nations League fixtures against Belgium. 25 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly prepared to listen to offers for one of their international midfielders. 25 March 2025 talksport.com Dean Holden has heaped praise on Steven Gerrard's managerial expertise after working under him in Saudi Arabia. 25 March 2025 talksport.com Simon Jordan believes Trent Alexander-Arnold is 'fortunate' to be joining Real Madrid. 25 March 2025 talksport.com Gareth Ainsworth has agreed a deal to become the new Gillingham manager, talkSPORT understands. 25 March 2025 talksport.com Alisha Lehmann has insisted there's a 'huge difference' between the standards of women's football pitches in England and Italy. 25 March 2025 talksport.com Steve Bruce has admitted he did not get on 'very well' with Dwight Gayle at Newcastle. 25 March 2025 talksport.com Liverpool look set for a summer of upheaval as three of their key players may depart Anfield at the end of the season. 25 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Pablo Sarabia is seemingly increasingly likely to depart Wolverhampton Wanderers during the summer transfer window. 25 March 2025 talksport.com Trent Alexander-Arnold has agreed to join Real Madrid this summer, talkSPORT understands. 25 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Chelsea have reportedly identified two alternatives to Jadon Sancho ahead of the summer transfer window. 25 March 2025 talksport.com Reece James admitted that his muted celebration was due to his surprise that his free-kick resulted in a goal. 25 March 2025 talksport.com talkSPORT fans have settled the never-ending 'Club vs Country' debate. 25 March 2025 talksport.com talkSPORT has you covered for all the latest football news as some blockbuster transfer news breaks this morning. 25 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Barcelona and Frenkie de Jong have reportedly entered talks over a new contract after the Dutchman decided that he wanted to stay at Camp Nou. 25 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Lille striker Jonathan David has once again commented on his future amid talk of a potential free transfer to either Manchester United, Arsenal or Tottenham Hotspur. 25 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Liverpool head coach Arne Slot is apparently in direct contact with Bayer Leverkusen's Jeremie Frimpong ahead of Trent Alexander-Arnold's expected move to Real Madrid. 25 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Leicester City midfielder Wilfred Ndidi is reportedly open to a move to Turkish side Galatasaray should his team be relegated from the Premier League. 25 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk All transfer business is done and dusted for this season, but that doesn't stop clubs from preparing ahead for next season. 25 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Azerbaijan vs. Belarus (Tuesday, 5.45pm) Azerbaijan will be bidding to bounce back from a shock defeat when they host Belarus in a friendly on Tuesday night. 25 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Moldova vs. Estonia (Tuesday, 5.00pm) At least one of Moldova and Estonia will collect their first points of World Cup 2026 Qualifying when they lock horns at Stadionul Zimbru on Tuesday evening. 25 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Endrick has hinted at a possible Real Madrid exit after he revealed he fears his lack of playing time could cost him a place in Brazil's World Cup squad. 25 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United are reportedly prepared to axe 10 players as part of Ruben Amorim's squad rebuild this summer. 24 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Liverpool defender Trent Alexander-Arnold has reportedly agreed personal terms with Spanish giants with Real Madrid.