Orlando Metropolis head coach Oscar Pareja praised his aspect’s “seriousness” of returning to profitable methods forward of welcoming New York Metropolis FC to Inter&Co Stadium this weekend.
The Lions recorded a fourth straight MLS triumph in opposition to Nashville SC final outing having received simply one in every of their earlier seven league encounters.
Orlando’s upturn in kind has seen them bridge the hole between the perimeters beneath them and at present sit seventh within the Japanese Convention desk, simply 5 factors behind New York Purple Bulls.
Pareja is hoping to proceed their upward trajectory on house soil this weekend, along with his gamers sustaining their obligations highlighted as a key part to their current success.
“We’re actually pleased, certainly with the outcome, however most significantly with the seriousness of the workforce, the self-discipline, the accountability that the boys have had on bouncing again from these tough moments,” Pareja mentioned.
“And never simply bounce again, however simply protecting the extent and the sensation and the performs in opposition to a [Nashville] workforce that may be very tough. I assumed we performed a really severe sport.
“I see that group simply enjoying the way in which we’re and protecting our obligations, however on the identical time being productive for the group. Very full sport for us and we’re pleased and able to transfer towards the following one.”
How we feelin’ this morning? pic.twitter.com/j1z5hWz9Kg
— Orlando Metropolis SC (@OrlandoCitySC) July 18, 2024
For NYCFC, they’re now with no win of their final three league fixtures following their 2-2 draw with Atlanta United in midweek.
However the draw on the Mercedes-Benz Stadium did include its positives. Daniel Rios and Saba Lobzhanidze had given the hosts a snug two-goal benefit heading into half-time.
Nonetheless, Nick Cushing’s aspect confirmed their powers of restoration to attain twice after the interval, with Talles Magno’s late penalty securing what might show to be an important level.
NYCFC are at present in fifth within the Japanese Convention desk, and know a win is a should forward of the Leagues Cup break subsequent week.
Fought till the tip.
— New York Metropolis FC (@newyorkcityfc) July 18, 2024
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Orlando Metropolis – Martin Ojeda
The Lions have been among the many targets of their current MLS fixtures, with Martin Ojeda key to their goal-scoring output.
Ojeda has registered 4 purpose contributions in his final 5 league video games (two targets, two assists), with a kind of assists coming within the reverse fixture between the 2 sides again in June.
NYCFC – Talles Magno
Having suffered a knee damage in NYCFC’s opening sport in opposition to Charlotte, Talles Magno needed to bide his time for a return to first-team motion, however he took that chance with each fingers.
Magno scored a penalty of their draw with Atlanta and boasts a powerful document in opposition to this weekend’s opponents.
In his 4 video games in opposition to Orlando, the Brazilian has scored two targets and supplied two assists, shedding simply as soon as in opposition to the Lions.
MATCH PREDICTION: ORLANDO CITY WIN
Orlando come into the competition with their confidence sky-high following their fourth consecutive league victory. Their last more profitable streak got here between October – November 2023 after they received six on the bounce.
The Lions have scored 22 targets of their final eight league video games, essentially the most they’ve managed this season, as they proceed to climb the Japanese Convention desk.
NYCFC are enduring one other interval with no victory and have now gone three video games with no win. Nonetheless, they boast a powerful document over this weekend’s opponents and are unbeaten of their 4 conferences (W3, D1), with their final defeat coming in August 2022.
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
Orlando Metropolis – 46.5%
Draw – 26.5%
NYCFC – 27%
