Get to know who the Red Bulls will be playing in their upcoming match with The Other Side:
How They’re Doing
Orlando City finds itself in the midst of a tight Eastern Conference race heading into Saturday’s match.
Through a conference-low 14 games, the Lions are 5-4-5, good for seventh place in the East. Orlando City is one point behind sixth-place Charlotte FC and holds a one-point lead over eighth-place D.C. United.
The club is riding a four-game unbeaten streak following a 1-1 draw with Atlanta United FC in its last match. During the streak, the Lions are 1-0-3.
The reigning U.S. Open Cup champions have found success on the road in 2023, playing to a 3-1-2 record away from Exploria Stadium. In the club’s last road match, it downed Inter Miami CF 3-1 at DRV PNK Stadium.
Head-to-Head History
New York and Orlando have a fairly even lifetime series since Orlando’s inaugural season in 2015. The Red Bulls have a slight edge with nine wins to the Lions’ eight. The clubs have played to two draws.
However, Orlando City is unbeaten against New York in the last three matchups. Most recently, the Lions edged the Red Bulls, 1-0, on Feb. 25 in the first contest of the 2023 regular season. Prior to that contest, Orlando City earned 1-0 and 5-1 wins over New York. The Red Bulls last defeated Orlando City with a 3-0 clean sheet on April 24, 2022.
Saturday will be the two clubs' second and final matchup of the regular season.
Player to Watch: Forward Ercan Kara
Ercan Kara has been as hot as anyone in Major League Soccer.
Prior to Orlando City’s most recent contest with Atlanta, the forward was on a three-match scoring streak and had netted goals in four of the club’s prior five contests. His scoring streak landed him his first-career MLS Team of the Matchday honor.
Kara’s surge has helped him to a tie for a team-best four goals, while also adding two assists.
Heading into Saturday’s match, the forward will seek to continue his high level of productivity against a Red Bulls defense that has returned to full strength.
