KISSIMMEE, Fla. -- It was a lively evening at training for Orlando City as they prepare for their midweek match against longtime rivals New York City FC. The players were all smiles as they did some pre-training rondos, yelling and laughing throughout the drill.
The mood after a road trip of three straight away matches in a seven-day span has been important for the team's chemistry heading into Wednesday's contest (7:30 p.m. | TV: MLS Season Pass on Apple TV) but equally important for the weekend matchup in Fort Lauderdale against Inter Miami.
"We're preparing for the best New York possible and then we turn around and we play a classico on Saturday at Miami, so we've got a complicated week," midfielder Wilder Cartagena said following training at Orlando Health Training Ground at Osceola Heritage Park on Tuesday.
"We've had some complicated games in the past and complicated ones coming up. We just want to do our very best, to give the fans that excitement and that happiness that they deserve after they've been supporting us this whole time. So I think what we're focusing on is playing the best that we can against whatever opponent we face."
By the time the month is over, the Lions will have played six matches in May. Only two of those will have been at home.
"We have to guard ourselves and we have to continue that form at home," Cartagena said. "I think the team is really well prepared and we've got a lot of goals to try and accomplish this Wednesday."
"Ultimately, we want to win, but also get the respect from the fans just by winning at home." defender Antonio Carlos added.
Odds and ends
- Captain Mauricio Pereyra was back at training again this week as he looks to feature for the team for the first time since April 20 against DC United.
- Midfielder Felipe Martins was back out at training as well. The veteran came out at halftime of the match against Charlotte FC and missed this past weekend's match. He is listed as questionable heading into Wednesday's game.
Don't miss Kickoff -60, airing one hour before Orlando City's match against NYCFC, exclusively on the LionNation App. Join host Gabrielle Amado and Orlando City’s English-language radio talents Evan Weston and Paul Shaw as they break down the upcoming match, with special guests appearing regularly throughout the season.
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