Verdict: Both teams to score
Best Odds: 7/10
Bookmaker: Luckster
Desperate to claim a welcomed MLS boost in the early hours of Saturday, New York City will welcome Orlando to the Yankee Stadium.
New York City
Starting with the hosts, while New York might have opened up June in the midst of a real MLS purple patch, the Sky Blues have come crashing back down to earth in a worrying fashion. Last seen putting in another downbeat display as they eventually fell to a 1-0 defeat away at Nashville, Nick Cushing’s men have the feel of a squad seeking a much-welcomed boost. Slipping their way down to Eastern Conference standings, the Pigeons have lost all of their previous three consecutive MLS appearances. Enduring their longest losing rut since opening up the 2024 campaign, NYCFC have also shown some extended defensive issues. With their recent struggles underlined by an action-packed 3-2 defeat at the hands of Columbus on June 15th, New York have shipped six goals on their three-match losing run. Likewise, it should also be highlighted that Saturday’s hosts have recorded just a single MLS clean sheet from any of their last 10 outings – a run that stems back to April 21st.
Team News
Picking up a costly first-half booking away at Nashville last week, Uruguayan defender Santiago Rodriguez will miss out here as the 24-year-old serves a one-match suspension. Still yet to make a single MLS appearance since opening up the 2024 campaign and dealing with a long-term injury issue, academy graduate Rio Hope-Gund will once again miss out this weekend.
Not selected by Jamaica for this summer’s Copa America, 21-year-old Tayvon Gray could make a first MLS start since June 1st. Despite notching just a single goal from any of his 15 top-flight appearances this season, Algerian striker Monsef Bakrar could keep his spot spearhead New York’s attack.
Orlando City
As for the visitors, managing to make what was a crucial return to winning ways last weekend as they secured an action-packed 4-2 victory against Chicago, the Lions will be desperate to use that performance as a platform to build on. However, although Oscar Pareja’s men might have sprung a major upset last season as they secured a silver medal finish in the Eastern Conference, they have struggled to find a similar level this time around. Mustering just a single MLS victory from any of their previous six appearances. Currently sat outside the play-off places, Orlando have also continued to show their own glaring defensive struggles. Including a 3-1 loss at home against Los Angeles have shipped 11 goals in their last six top-flight outings. Pencilled in as a real underdog contender in the early hours of Saturday, the Lions have also lost all of their previous three trips to the Yankee Stadium by an aggregate score of 9-1.
Team News
Both away representing Peru at this summer’s Copa America, Orlando will once again be without the duo of Wilder Cartagena and veteran goalkeeper Pedro Gallese this weekend. Likewise, still dealing with respective injury issues, Michael Halliday and academy graduate Tahir Reid-Brown in the early hours of Saturday.
Bagging a brace against Chicago last weekend and now recording three goals in his back-to-back MLS appearances, 24-year-old Facundo Torres will play a leading role at the Yankee Stadium. Former Atalanta ace Luis Muriel will spearhead the Lions’ charge and look to record a fourth MLS strike of the season.
Key Factors to Consider
- New York have won all of their previous three straight meetings against Orlando at the Yankee Stadium by an aggregate score of 9-1.
- However, the Pigeons have lost all of their previous three consecutive MLS appearances.
- Despite landing a 4-2 victory against Chicago last weekend, that is the only win that Orlando have collected from their previous six MLS appearances.
- New York have recorded just a single MLS clean sheet from any of their last 10 outings – a run that stems back to April 21st.
- Orlando have recorded just a single clean sheet outside of Florida since opening up the 2024 campaign.
Conclusion
While New York might have won all of their previous three showdowns against Orlando at the Yankee Stadium by an aggregate score of 9-1, the Pigeons are certainly seeking a much-needed boost. Losing all of their last three MLS appearances and recording just a sole clean sheet since back on April 21st, Saturday’s hosts have shown some glaring defensive issues. With Orlando seeing four of their previous five MLS showdowns finish with both teams finding the net, we are expecting a similar outcome here.
Verdict: Both teams to score
Best Odds: 7/10
Bookmaker: Luckster
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