Today, the New York Red Bulls (14-8-6) will take on Orlando City (9-13-8) for only the second time. The match is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. EDT and will be broadcast on UniMás. Both teams are coming off of wins – the Red Bulls’ 2-0 takedown of Portland and Orlando City’s 1-0 victory over the Fire – and look to extend that streak. The Red Bulls hope to maintain their hold on the Eastern Conference table as well as take the leading spot in the Shield Race, while Orlando look to get back into a playoff position.
Here are some numbers to know ahead of Friday’s matchup:
0: The Red Bulls have not lost or drawn any games against expansion teams this year, winning all three versus New York City FC as well as the last match against Orlando City.
1: Friday will be the first time a team from Florida will play at Red Bull Arena. When the Red Bulls played at Giants Stadium, they were 10-8-0 at home against teams versus Florida teams (Tampa Bay Mutiny and Miami Fusion).
3: This matchup will feature three players named to MLS’ 24 Under 24 list: Matt Miazga (RBNY), Kemar Lawrence (RBNY), and Cyle Larin (OCSC).
4.3: Orlando City currently has a 4.3% chance of making the Audi 2015 MLS Playoffs, a spot in which the Red Bulls have already clinched.
6: The Red Bulls currently hold the longest home unbeaten streak at 6 games, having not lost at home since falling 2-1 to the Vancouver Whitecaps on June 20. They hold this record after breaking Portland’s 10-game streak last weekend.
8: On the back of his Goal of the Week-nominated netting against Portland, Red Bulls midfielder Mike Grella seeks his 8th goal of the season and his 2nd against Orlando City.
17: The Red Bulls have a goal differential of +17, the highest in the league. They’ve conceded only 32 goals this season, only 10 of which have been conceded at home and none of which have been conceded against Orlando City.
21: Cyle Larin, Orlando City’s #21 and their leading goal scorer with 11 goals this season, has failed to score in all of Orlando City’s’s September matches so far. He also could not find the back of the net in the last matchup between these two teams, as did OCSC’s second-highest scorer, Kaka.
67: 6 of Luis Robles’ 9 shutouts this season (67%) have come at home.
143: The Red Bulls have taken 143 shots on goal this season, the fourth-highest amount in the league. This might prove dangerous to Orlando City’s average of 1.7 shots conceded per game.
