A magnificent performance against Inter Miami-conquering Atlanta United saw Orlando City spring another Play Off surprise at the weekend.
Ramiro Enrique’s 39th-minute strike was enough to settle a match in which Atlanta couldn’t even muster a shot on target.
Defensively solid, Óscar Pareja’s side will fancy their chances in front of their own fans, and having not lost against New York Red Bulls in their last five outings, fortune would appear to favor The Lions.
Home advantage might not necessarily favor Orlando, however, as The Lions have only beaten this opponent twice at Inter & Co. Stadium, the last victory coming back in July 2021.
Sandro Schwarz will want the visitors to continue with their recent goalscoring exploits, the Red Bulls having managed to score at least two in three of the last four matches leading into this Eastern Conference Final.
It’s been 16 long years since the visitors were last in an MLS Cup Final, their only appearance in the end of season showpiece ending in a loss to Columbus Crew.
Therefore, the chance to become the first team in New York Red Bulls history to win the MLS Cup will keep them fired up in this one.
Recent History Favors The Hosts
A fixture where goals are always scored, with wins evenly distributed between the sides. Orlando have a shot at history, with New York Red Bulls needing to find the form that’s deserted them in this fixture over the past couple of seasons.
| Orlando City | Draw | New York Red Bulls |
|---|---|---|
| -120 | +275 | +320 |
Head-to-Head: Nothing To Choose Between The Teams
| Total | Orlando City | New York Red Bulls | Draws | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Games | 23 | 9 | 9 | 5 |
| MLS Games | 20 | 8 | 9 | 3 |
| Goals | 71 | 37 | 34 |
Key Stats
- There has never been a goalless draw in this fixture.
- Four of New York Red Bulls nine wins in this fixture have come in Orlando.
- Orlando have scored three or more goals against New York Red Bulls on six occasions.
- In their last three visits to Orlando, New York Red Bulls have managed one goal at best.
- New York Red Bulls haven’t scored in three of their last four fixtures against Orlando.
- Orlando haven’t lost any of the last five in this fixture, but didn’t win any of the previous four.
Orlando City Team News
As before, and despite a bruising encounter against Atlanta United, Óscar Pareja has virtually a full squad to choose from, with Mason Stajduhar’s knee injury meaning he’s the one player that the manager can’t count on for this one.
Possible Lineup:
Pedro Gallese (GK); Rafael Santos, Robin Jansson, Rodrigo Schlegel, Dagur Dan Thorhallsson, Wilder Cartagena, Cesar Araujo, Ivan Angulo, Martin Ojeda, Facundo Torres, Ramiro Enrique.
New York Red Bulls Team News
Kyle Duncan and Roald Mitchell will miss the game with knee injuries, and though Cory Burke has been ill, he’s expected to play in the most important game of the season.
Possible Lineup:
Carlos Coronel (GK); Sean Nealis, Andrés Reyes, Dylan Nealis, John Tolkin, Felipe Carballo, Daniel Edelman, Cameron Harper, Emil Forsberg, Lewis Morgan, Dante Vanzeir.
Orlando City vs. New York Red Bulls Picks
The magnitude of the fixture for the hosts could prove to be overwhelming, though they will have the home crowd behind them and the knowledge that the visitors don’t travel well of late to Inter & Co Stadium.
If Óscar Pareja’s side can play as well as they did against Atlanta last time out, there’s no reason why they can’t progress to their first-ever MLS Cup final.
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Under 3.5 goals
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