ORLANDO – July 17, 2015 – Orlando City SC (6-7-5, 24 points) will return to league play on Saturday night when the Lions host the New York Bulls (7-6-5, 26 points) at the Orlando Citrus Bowl. Kick-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET.
Tickets are available and can be purchased by visiting www.OrlandoCitySC.com or by calling 855-ORL-CITY. The match will broadcast live on MY 65 and SUN Sports and will also be transmitted in English on Real Radio 104.1FM and in Spanish on La Grande 1030 AM.
"The one thing that I can guarantee is that we will be more energetic on Saturday. I can guarantee that," said head coach Adrian Heath. "We know that the Red Bulls are a strong side, but to be honest, I'm more concerned with my group, making sure we compete properly at the weekend because what was dished up last Saturday was totally unacceptable for everybody."
Sitting in fifth place in the Eastern Conference, Orlando City heads into the weekend fixture with positive momentum. Despite falling to FC Dallas last weekend, the Lions responded in typical Orlando City fashion with a strong 3-1 victory over English Premier League team West Bromwich Albion in an international friendly on Wednesday night.
Tickets: Orlando City SC vs. New York Red Bulls
During the win, all three of City's Designated Players scored in the same game for the first time all season, as Kaká, Carlos Rivas and Bryan Róchez all displayed some of the most impressive finishes for Orlando this year.
Kaká, who is in fourth place in MLS for goals (9), scored a goal that was reminiscent of his time in top-flight European leagues, as the midfielder ventured on a 45-yard run, bursting past several defenders, before slotting the ball into the back of the net.
The upcoming contest will mark the first-ever meeting between both clubs. The Red Bulls – one of the marquee Clubs in MLS – enter the match in third place in the East - behind D.C. United and Columbus Crew SC.
In its previous five matches in all competitions, New York has won four games - most recently defeating the New England Revolution 4-1.
Since the retirement of superstar Thierry Henry, the Club is headlined by lethal finisher Bradley Wright-Phillips who topped MLS' goal-scoring charts in 2014 with 27 goals.
So far this season, the Englishman has found the back of the net eight times – leading the team in goals once again. In addition to Wright-Phillips, the Red Bulls obtain experienced players such as Lloyd Sam, who has five goals this season, U.S. Men's National Team player Sacha Klejestan and Orlando native Dax McCarty.
McCarty – a former U.S. Men's National Team player – grew up playing soccer in Central Florida, starring for Winter Park High School.
