Orlando City vs. New York City FC: Three Keys to Victory

Orlando City hits the road for its first away match. The Lions will face longtime Eastern Conference rival New York City FC. Playing at Yankee Stadium presents some unique challenges for NYCFC opponents, but Orlando City is coming off a big win over Toronto FC.

The Lions need to be early season road warriors like they have in the past. This match is the first of two games in a row against teams with New York in their names. What does Orlando City need to do to earn all three points on the road against NYCFC?

Precise Passing

Playing on the foosball table that is the “regulation” soccer pitch at Yankee Stadium is a dicey proposition. Everything is smaller, including the passing windows. NYCFC’s players are used to the size and inconsistency of the field. Orlando City’s players are not. That makes stringing together a series of passes to work up the field all the more difficult.

I’m hoping that Eduard Atuesta and Martin Ojeda are able to really showcase their passing talents in this match. In fact, this might be a really good match for Luis Muriel to get the start. Muriel is very good at passing in tight spaces. If he is on the pitch rather than Ivan Angulo — whose speed may be negated by the confined conditions — he could really help in moving the ball through the defense. Precise passing between Atuesta, Ojeda, and Muriel is a recipe for success.

Hold the Center

NYCFC has two central attackers that Orlando City needs to worry about. Alonso Martinez at striker, and their No. 10, Maxi Moralez. The latter has hurt the Lions many times over the years, and he is still very dangerous. The former already has one goal on the year in the match against Inter Miami after scoring 16 for the Pigeons last year in the regular season.

On the other side, we have an Orlando City back line that may still be missing captain Robin Jansson and David Brekalo. Kyle Smith did an admirable job filling in at center back against Toronto FC, but that’s not sustainable. How well he does this week may determine how many goals the Lions give up. Cesar Araujo had an MLS Team of the Week performance last match and will need to do it all again this week. The center of the defense must be stout if the Lions are to keep NYCFC off the board.

Pasalic’s Next Step

Marco Pasalic came out of the gates hot with two goals against the Philadelphia Union. Toronto FC saw this and promptly shut him down by always making sure he was covered by two to three defenders. Now, Orlando City’s newest Designated Player needs to make the necessary adjustments to break free.

Thanks to the Lions scoring four goals against Toronto, despite Pasalic being mostly kept in check, NYCFC may need to allow Pasalic more space as to not give up goals from his teammates. If Pasalic can recognize and take advantage of any space he is given, he might be able to get back on the scoreboard against the Pigeons. At the very least, if he looks dangerous he might open up space for another Lion to get a goal.

That is what I will be looking for Saturday night. Let me know your thoughts in the comments below. Vamos Orlando!