Orlando City SC (5-4-5, 20 points) at NYCFC (4-5-7, 19 points)
When: Saturday, 7:30 p.m.
Where: Red Bull Arena, Harrison, NJ
TV: MLS Season Pass on Apple TV (free match)
Radio: 96.9 The Game (English), Acción 97.9 FM (Spanish)
The Tax Man
Defender Kyle Smith scored his first goal of the season in the side’s last outing against Atlanta United, his second finish in his MLS career against The Five Stripes to become the first Orlando City defender to net multiple goals against their neighbors to the north. Following his performance, Smith earned MLS Team of the Matchday honors, his first time in the first XI throughout his time in the league.
Facing the Red Bulls
The Lions enter the weekend looking to make it four consecutive matches unbeaten against the New York Red Bulls, having taken a 1-0 shutout victory in the respective season opener for both sides on Feb. 25 this season. In its last visit to Red Bull Arena, Orlando City won by the same scoreline, with Facundo Torres accounting for the game-winner in each match. Prior to that visit the Lions took a 5-1 victory over the Red Bulls in the Semifinals of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup on July 27 behind a brace from César Araújo, along with finishes from Torres, Mauricio Pereyra and Benji Michel.
El Capitán
Lions’ captain Mauricio Pereyra made his return to the Orlando City starting lineup over the weekend after missing the last month due to injury, appearing in the first XI for the first time since April 22. With the start over the weekend, Pereyra sits at 99 starts across all competitions in purple, one away from hitting the century mark for the side.
On the Road Again
Orlando City heads back out on the road this weekend looking to maintain its form away from home that sees it sitting as the best team in Major League Soccer in terms of PPG at 1.83 through six road matches in 2023. The Lions have fallen just once away from this season while taking victories at Philadelphia, Minnesota and Inter Miami along with draws from D.C. United and the Columbus Crew.
For Club & Country
Orlando City Homegrown defender Mikey Halliday and the U.S. U-20 National Team clinched the top spot in Group B ahead of the knockout round of the 2023 FIFA U-20 World Cup, taking a 2-0 victory over Slovakia last Friday. Halliday played the full 90 for the U.S. in route to their third-consecutive shutout to start the tournament. The side then secured their spot in the Quarterfinals with a 4-0 shutout win over New Zealand in the Round of 16 on Tuesday, with Halliday entering the match in the 71st minute for the Stars & Stripes.
Milestone Tracker
- Goalkeeper Pedro Gallese is two appearances away from 100 in all competitions in purple.
- Midfielder Mauricio Pereyra is one start away from 100 in all competitions.
- Midfielder César Araújo is one start away from 50 in all competitions as a Lion.
- Head Coach Oscar Pareja is one win away from 50 across all competitions at the helm of the Lions.
