Orlando City are on a great run of Major League Soccer form. The Lions have claimed three straight wins and are two points off of Eastern Conference leaders the New England Revolution.
New York Red Bulls have had a start-stop season. They have strung together a few wins but continually follow up those wins with consecutive losses.
These teams met at the end of May with New York Red Bulls claiming a 2-1 home win. Caden Clark and Christian Casseres scored on either side of halftime to put the Red Bulls up 2-0.
Silvester van der Water pulled a goal back in the final six minutes but that was as close as the Lions could get.
Orlando City are unbeaten in two of the last three games in MLS against New York Red Bulls. Last season, Orlando City claimed a home win before drawing with the Red Bulls on the road in New York.
Home form could be the difference this weekend when the Eastern Conference rivals battle. Orlando City are unbeaten in five home games this season with 11 points from 15 available.
The team’s defence has conceded just one goal at home while scoring 10 times.
The Red Bulls have been awful on the road in 2021. Just one point from 15 possible have been taken by New York Red Bulls on their travels. They have been outscored 10-5 on the road.
Coach Gerhard Struber’s team are coming off of a nil-nil draw against Atlanta United away from home. If New York Red Bulls do not improve their away form soon, they will likely fall away from Eastern Conference playoff qualification.
Orlando City manager Oscar Pareja is without Pedro Gallese for the weekend. Gallese has been out for the last few games due to playing for Peru at the Copa America.
Striker Alexandre Pato continues to recover from knee surgery. He will remain out for a few more weeks. Pato is the forgotten high-priced player that Orlando City do not actually need. Ruan is also ruled out of the game. Jhegson Mendez is on Copa America duty with Ecuador.
Like Orlando City, New York Red Bulls have been hit hard by players being at the Copa America. Casseres, who scored the winner against Orlando City last time out, is playing with Venezuela at the Copa America.
Clark remains out after undergoing an appendectomy. He will leave New York Red Bulls in January 2022 after signing for RB Leipzig. Important players Aaron Long, Daniel Royer, Andrew Gutman and Youba Diarra remain on the sidelines with injuries.
Orlando City have been excellent at home and should keep their form going in Florida. With New York Red Bulls suffering injuries and international absences, expect a win for the Lions.
Like the previous meeting, expect over 2.5 goals and both teams finding the back of the net.
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