Orlando Sentinel (Sunday)

Pareja bracing for intense match vs. NY

- By Mike Gramajo

Having won their last three games in all competitio­ns, the Lions are enjoying their best form so far this season.

On Sunday, however, that form will be put to the test when Orlando City hosts the New York

Red Bulls at 3:30 p.m. at Exploria Stadium.

Coach Oscar Pareja said he expects a fierce bout against the third-seeded team in the Eastern Conference.

“We certainly think that New York will bring an intensity to the game,” Pareja said. “We know from the prior games that we need to be 100% concentrat­ed and try to match that intensity that we have done. At the same time, [we have to] pay attention to the quality of our game and the quality of our team, knowing that we’re at home [and] we’re looking for those points.”

Sunday’s game will be televised nationally on ESPN.

Orlando (4-2-2, 14 points) defeated I-4 Derby rival Tampa Bay 2-1 on Wednesday in the U.S. Open Cup.

Prior to the midweek match, the Lions claimed a 2-0 road victory over the Columbus Crew last weekend and posted a 1-0 win over the Chicago Fire on April 9.

Team captain Mauricio Pereyra said the match against the Red Bulls is another opportunit­y to string together a third consecutiv­e MLS victory.

“We already watched the video and we know how they play,” Pereyra said. “The most important aspect for us is trying to show

how we play.

“We know that we have quality, we have a lot of legs in the middle and we have experience inside. We know how to give this kind of pressing, so we have to just keep going.”

Following Sunday’s game, Orlando City B will kick off against New England Revolution II at 7 p.m. Fans who purchase tickets for the Red Bulls game will have access to the MLS NEXT Pro match.

Pato ready: After missing most of last season due to injury, Brazilian forward Alexandre Pato has two goals and two assists in six games for Orlando City.

“I try to do my best all the time when I can play,” Pato said. “When I come to the field also for training, I feel the same. Every day I want to just play. I want to have fun there at the training facility or the stadium.

“I just want to play and have joy with the ball. I was born to do this. God gifted me this, and I just want to enjoy my time here and do my best.”

Youth national teams: Eight current and former Orlando City Academy players received call-ups to the United States youth national teams this week.

Goalkeeper Zackory Campagnolo was named to the U.S. U15 squad while homegrown Alex Freeman and OCB players Gonzalo Agustono-Chagas, Favian Loyola and Ethan Subachan were named to the U19 squad.

OCB center back Quembol Guadalupe and homegrowns Mickey Halliday and Thomas Williams were called up to the U20 squad, which will hold a training camp from April 22 to May 1 at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California.

 ?? STEPHEN M. DOWELL / ORLANDO SENTINEL ?? Coach Oscar Pareja’s Orlando City club will host the New York Red Bulls on Sunday while aiming for a third straight MLS win.
STEPHEN M. DOWELL / ORLANDO SENTINEL Coach Oscar Pareja’s Orlando City club will host the New York Red Bulls on Sunday while aiming for a third straight MLS win.

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