Lions take on Red Bulls amid push for playoffs
With just six matches left in the regular season, Orlando City will land inNewYork on Sunday with the intention of earning a second win over the Red Bulls to gain important ground in the Eastern Conference standings.
It’s been two weeks since the teams last faced each other when the Lions (8-2-7, 31) clinched a dominant 3-1 win over the Red Bulls (7-8-3, 24) at home.
Orlando City was surprised when the Red Bulls came out in a higher press rather than sitting back into a lower block that had served them will this season. But after several minutes of testing out the press, the Lions were able to crack it open to score three goals.
“We kept being loyal to ourways andwe had a very good game,” Lions coach Oscar Pareja said. “The games are all different. We arepreparing for thenextone. Thisone is the same rival, but the games are quite different. Nogameis equal to another one.”
New York will likely use a press again during Sunday’s match as the Red Bulls push for a home win.
For the Lions, the key will be finding spaces for movement through the press despite the relative youth of the midfield. Midfielders Mauricio Pereyra and Uri Rosell have been sidelined for several weeks with unspecified injuries, and midfielder SebasMéndez is currently finishing his quarantine period after returning from international play.
Without veteran midfielders, the Lions have relied on rookies such as Joey DeZart to step in and lead the attack. The last match sawAndrés Perea playing at theNo. 10, a position that pulls the strings and directs the entire team’s movement on the offensive side of the ball.
Although Pareja noted the growing pains for these midfielders during their first few starts, their improved confidence and decision-making will be key to adding to Orlando City’s depth.
“We’re moving it well, but we have to keep on doing it for longer stretches of time,” DeZart said. “I think regardless if they’re pressing more high up the field, we have to continue tomove it and continue to play with confidence for longer periods of time. I think we’ll be able to break it and play out.”
Sunday’s match should be one of the final times the Lions are forced to compete with a heavily depleted roster.
Méndez will return from his quarantine period nextweek along with keeper Pedro Gallese, who also was called up to his national team. Defenders Antonio Carlos and Ruan both were cleared to play Wednesday’s match.
As they recover from injuries, Pareja said Rosell, Pereyra and forwards Tesho Akindele and Benji Michel are day-to-day and should be ready to return in the next week.
The team could also see the debut of striker Matheus Aiás, who was medically cleared to play on Friday, nearly two months after his signing.
The players’ return comes at a critical juncture of the season as Orlando City sits five points away fromearning a spot in the MLS playoffs for the first time in franchise history.
Although the Lions are on an 11-game unbeaten streak, the team drew three of its past four matches. The ties have prevented the team from moving up in the Eastern Conference table.
Parejawelcomes the pressure, which he said will only add to the team’s intensity on Sunday.
“I like to see how the media and everybody is demanding Orlando to be that sharp 90 minutes every game against any rival,” Pareja said.“Wewelcome it.”