New York City FC can claim consecutive victories against Orlando City in the same MLS regular season for the first time since 2018 when the two sides clash on Saturday at Inter & Co Stadium.
The Lions are coming off an impressive 3-0 triumph at Nashville SC earlier this week, moving them up to seventh in the Eastern Conference, four points below the Pigeons, who are fifth after erasing a two-goal deficit and claiming a 2-2 draw versus Atlanta United.
Match preview
Finally, we see Orlando City begin to reach the potential many thought they could at the beginning of this season, winning four consecutive matches in this competition.
Oscar Pareja's men have done it in style, too, outscoring their four opponents this month by a combined margin of 13-2.
July has been good to the Lions over the past couple of seasons, with this team winning seven of their previous eight encounters this month and their only defeat occurring away to Real Salt Lake last year (4-0).
Their victory on matchday 24 equalled the longest winning run for them in this competition from each of the two previous domestic campaigns, and another triumph this weekend would mark their longest MLS winning streak since 2018 (six).
It has been tough going for them at Inter & Co Stadium domestically this year, as the Lions have won the joint second-fewest home games in the league (three), though they enter this encounter on a two-match winning run in Orlando.
Orlando City can post consecutive clean sheets at home this weekend for the first time all year, which would also mark the first time they do so since their opening two games of the 2023 domestic campaign.
New York City were behind early on Wednesday and suffered another blow just minutes before the interval but managed to fight their way back and earn a point.
On four occasions this year, the Boys in Blue have come back to claim a result despite conceding the opening goal, claiming eight points.
Their resilience has kept them within range of a top-four position in the Eastern Conference, a point behind their arch-rivals, the New York Red Bulls.
Conversely, NYCFC have failed to win four regular-season contests in 2024 when netting first, dropping 10 points in the process.
With a win or draw this weekend, Nick Cushing's men will match their longest unbeaten run away from home in MLS this season (three).
NYCFC are unbeaten in four consecutive matches versus the Lions but have not won an away game against them in the regular season since 2018 (2-0).
Team News
The Lions will be without Mason Stajduhar for the remainder of the season through injury, and Michael Halliday is doubtful because of a knee issue.
Their second-leading goalscorer, Duncan McGuire, has joined the United States squad ahead of the Olympics and will not feature for Orlando this weekend.
Cesar Araujo netted his first of the domestic campaign against Nashville in midweek, which held up as the winner before an own-goal by Alex Muyl gave them some insurance late in the opening half and Ramiro Enrique scored late in the second half, his third of 2024.
Earlier this week, the Boys in Blue were missing Andres Perea through injury, and Malachi Jones was unavailable after breaking his tibia weeks ago.
James Sands is eligible to return from suspension, Thiago Martins, Santiago Rodriguez, Kevin O'Toole and Tayvon Gray could all be available after they were rested against the Five Stripes, while Maxi Moralez came on as a substitute on Wednesday, having previously missed time with a sore leg.
Second-half strikes from Monsef Bakrar and Talles Magno rescued them in midweek, with the Brazilian converting a penalty nine minutes from the end, his first of the 2024 campaign.
Orlando City possible starting lineup:
Gallese; Thorhallsson, Schlegel, Jansson, Smith; Araujo, Cartagena; Torres, M. Ojeda, Lodeiro; Enrique
New York City FC possible starting lineup:
Freese; Ilenic, Martins, Risa, O'Toole; Sands, Parks; Fernandez, Rodriguez, Wolf; Martinez
We say: Orlando City 2-1 New York City FC
New York City are winless in their last four MLS away matches, conceding multiple strikes in two of their previous three road games, while the Lions are firing on all cylinders at the moment, which we believe will propel them to another triumph this weekend.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
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