Orlando City (1-3-1, 4 points) vs New York Red Bulls (3-1-1, 10 points)
When: Saturday, 7:30 p.m. ET
Where: INTER&Co Stadium, Orlando, FL
TV: Apple TV - MLS Season Pass (Subscription Required)
Radio: Real Radio 104.1, (English), Mega 97.1 (Spanish)
Here are five storylines to watch on Saturday, when Orlando City SC take on the New York Red Bulls:
Lynn-Sanity
Last Saturday’s matchup with Western Conference side Austin FC saw forward Jack Lynn make his first start for the Club, with Lynn scoring his first MLS goal in the 42nd minute to secure all three points for the Lions, earning a spot on the MLS Team of the Matchday bench for his efforts. The 2022 MLS SuperDraft selection has scored 34 total goals in two seasons while playing for Orlando City B in MLS NEXT Pro, standing as the league’s all-time leading goal scorer and winning the Golden Boot in 2023, and was named MLS NEXT Pro MVP last season.
Against The Bulls
The Lions have dominated the matchup with the Red Bulls in their last few meetings, winning the last four matchups by an aggregate score of 10-1 and keeping a clean sheet against the New Jersey-based side in the last three. Overall, since Head Coach Oscar Pareja arrived in the City Beautiful in 2020 Orlando City has posted a 5-3-1 record against the Red Bulls, including a 5-1 win against them in the 2022 U.S. Open Cup semifinal that would lead to the Lions winning their first trophy in the Club’s MLS era.
Nico’s Numbers
Long-time MLS veteran and midfielder Nico Lodeiro scored a banger of a free kick against Austin FC last Saturday, his first goal for the Lions in league play since signing as a free agent this past offseason, also providing the secondary assist on Jack Lynn’s game-winning goal in the 42nd minute. So far, this regular-season campaign, Lodeiro ranks third across the entire league in terms of progressive passes completed, with defender Rafael Santos just two spots behind in the same category.
Purple Crow vs. Red Bull
Orlando City Designated Player Facundo Torres has historically done well when facing off against the New York Red Bulls, scoring more against the New Jersey based side than against any other opposition he’s faced during his time in Major League Soccer. The Uruguayan forward has tallied five total goals against the Red Bulls in his last four meetings against the Eastern Conference side, as well as providing one assist in that span. The Lions have won each of those four meetings that Torres has notched his name on the scoresheet.
Ramadan Mubarak
Beginning on Sunday, March 10 through Tuesday, April 9, many players around Major League Soccer, and the world, will celebrate and observe Islam’s holy month of Ramadan. Throughout this month, those observing Ramadan will fast from before dawn until sunset each day, forgoing food and drink during that time. Orlando City’s first team will see two players fast for Islam’s holy month, with defender Abdi Salim and midfielder Shak Mohammed both training and playing while fasting for Ramadan.
Milestone Tracker:
- Facundo Torres is one goal away from tying Nani (31) for second all-time in Orlando City history
- Duncan McGuire’s next goal will be his 19th for Orlando City, tying him with former Lions Daryl Dike and Benji Michel for eighth all-time in Club history
- Wilder Cartagena is two appearances away from 50 across all competitions for the Club
