The New York Red Bulls face Orlando City SC at Red Bull Arena on Sunday, April 24 at 7:30 p.m. ET (TV: FS1, RADIO: Red Bulls Radio English/Spanish on TuneIn). The Red Bulls look to capture a long-awaited win against Orlando City who sits in third place of the Eastern Conference.
On Sunday, the New York Red Bulls will host Wings For Life Night at Red Bull Arena. Use promo code WFL16when purchasing your tickets and a portion of the sale will be donated towards Wings For Life.
New York Red Bulls
- Record: 1-6-0
- Goals Leader: Felipe (2)
- Assists Leader: Sacha Kljestan (2)
- Saves Leader: Luis Robles (21)
Orlando City SC
- Record: 2-1-3
- Goals Leader: Cyle Larin (3)
- Assists Leaders: Kaka (2), Kevin Molino (2)
- Saves Leader: Joe Bendik (19)
Scouting Report
The New York Red Bulls need a win at home to turn around a slow start to the season after two disappointing road results last week. Look for the Red Bulls assists leader Sacha Kljestan to light a fire under the offense and create chances on Sunday. Kljestan was involved in one of the positive moments against the Colorado Rapids last Saturday, serving up a great ball to defender Ronald Zubar to level the match at 1-1 in the 60th minute.
Despite scoring 17 regular season goals in 2015, forward Bradley Wright-Phillips has yet to find the back of the net in the first seven games of the season. Wright-Phillips has recorded 25 shots with 12 shots on goal and has not managed to get one past the ‘keeper. However, watch out for this streak of bad luck to end as soon as Sunday night as Wright-Phillips hunts for his first.
Kemar Lawrence returns to Red Bull Arena for the first time since March 19. The Jamaican defender brings pace and will be a key component to stopping Orlando’s dangerous attack.
Lastly, MLS ironman Luis Robles will be the defensive difference maker in the match. The reigning MLS Goalkeeper of the Year became the all-time leader in most consecutive starts and full 90 minutes played (113) in MLS history following New York’s away game against the Rapids last week.
Orlando City SC is off to a hot start this season and currently stands in third place of the Eastern Conference. The Lions possess one of the league’s biggest weapons in Kaka. In three games played, the Brazilian midfielder has two goals and two assists. In Orlando’s last game, a 2-2 draw with New England, Kaka had three shots on goal and converted his penalty kick to score his second of the season.
Another attacking threat for Orlando, and defensive focus for New York, will be forward Cyle Larin. He is currently Orlando’s top scorer with three goals on the season, despite missing their week six matchup against the Philadelphia Union due to injury and playing the final 30 minutes against New England last week. The Canadian, who was the 2015 MLS Rookie of the Year, netted a rookie record 17 goals last season and will be a force for the Red Bulls defense to reckon with.
