MATCH PREVIEW: New York Red Bulls vs.Orlando City SC

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ORLANDO CITY SC vs. NEW YORK RED BULLS
CITRUS BOWL, Orlando, Fla.
July 18, 2015 (MLS Game #196)
7:30 pm ET (MSG)

2015 Records:


  • NY: 7-6-5; 2-4-3 on the road
  • ORL: 6-7-6; 3-4-3 at home 


All-Time Series: First meeting

The New York Red Bulls travel to Orlando this weekend for a Saturday night clash with MLS expansion-side Orlando City SC. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. at the Citrus Bowl, with coverage on MSG beginning at 7 p.m.

New York is coming off of a complete 4-1 victory over the New England Revolution last Saturday at Red Bull Arena. The Red Bulls set an MLS record with three goals in the first 12 minutes. Bradley Wright-Phillips led the way with two goals, while Lloyd Sam added a goal and an assist in that span. New York defender Anthony Wallace scored his first-career goal in the second half to round out the victory.

Wright-Phillips leads New York in both scoring categories with eight goals and six assists. Lloyd Sam is second on the team with five goals, and his four assists are tied with Sacha Kljestan for second-most on the team. Sam is just one goal shy of becoming the seventh player in New York history to reach 15 goals and 15 assists in his career.

In all, 10 different New York players have contributed at least one goal this season, compared to 2014, when nine total Red Bulls found the back of the net, respectively.

New York's first trip to Florida since 2001 will pit them against an upstart Orlando side that joined MLS in the offseason after spending two years in the United Soccer League. The Lions brought in Brazilian star Kaka to lead their inaugural season.  

Kaka paces Orlando City with nine goals on the season, followed by 2015 MLS SuperDraft first overall pick Cyle Larin with six. 

After Saturday, the Red Bulls return home for back-to-back matches with a U.S. Open Cup quarter final against the Philadelphia Union on Tuesday, July 21, and an international friendly against Chelsea FC in the International Champions Cup on Wednesday, July 22.