Orlando City
Orlando City vs. New York City FC: Preview, How to Watch, TV Info, Live Stream, Lineups, Match Thread, and More
The Lions hit the road for the first time in 2025 as they visit the confining confines of Yankee Stadium.

Welcome to your match thread and preview for a Saturday night matchup between Orlando City (1-1-0, 3 points) and New York City FC (0-1-1, 1 point) at Yankee Stadium (7:30 p.m., MLS Season Pass on Apple TV). This is the first of two scheduled meetings between the Lions and Pigeons this season, with NYCFC making the return trip to Orlando on July 16. A fun fact about this match is that it takes place 10 years to the day since these teams met in their first MLS match at the Citrus Bowl in 2015.
Here is what you need to know ahead of the match.
History
The Lions are 7-9-8 in 24 meetings with NYCFC in the all-time series in MLS play and 7-9-10 including one playoff match and one U.S. Open Cup meeting (remember, games that go to penalty shootouts in knockout competitions officially count as draws), so the series between the two 2015 expansion sides has proven to be a competitive one. Orlando is just 2-7-2 on the road in regular-season games in the all-time series. New York City FC has gotten the better of Orlando the last couple of years, as the Lions are 0-3-2 in the last five meetings between the teams.
The teams last met on July 20, 2024 in Orlando, playing to a 1-1 draw. Ramiro Enrique and Hannes Wolf traded goals five minutes apart in the second half to account for all the scoring. The Lions and Pigeons met at Yankee Stadium on June 28, with New York City FC winning 4-2. An early Santiago Rodriguez goal opened the scoring and then things went horribly wrong when an obviously offside Malachi Jones collided hard with Orlando goalkeeper Mason Stajduhar. Both players left the game and both had season-ending surgery to repair broken tibias and fibulas. Javier Otero made his MLS debut in goal off the bench and the Lions allowed two goals in first-half stoppage time to let a close game get out of hand. Orlando pulled two goals back through Dagur Dan Thorhallsson and Duncan McGuire, but Mounsef Bakrar sealed the game late for NYCFC.
The teams met at Citi Field — a different baseball stadium than NYCFC’s usual one — on Sept. 20, 2023. The Pigeons were rude hosts, winning 2-0 on goals by Bakrar and Talles Magno. It snapped Orlando’s five-game unbeaten run but the Lions clinched a playoff spot that day anyway due to other results around the league.
These teams also met in Orlando on May 17, and with the Lions poised for a 1-0 win, NYCFC eked out a late 1-1 draw with an 89th-minute Gabriel Segal goal out of nowhere. Ercan Kara scored for Orlando City early on, but the Lions were wasteful with opportunities for the rest of the match.
The teams faced off at Red Bull Arena (one of NYCFC’s many homes away from home) on Oct. 2, 2022, with the Pigeons erasing a 1-0 halftime deficit that Facundo Torres provided. The “hosts” got second-half goals from Alex Callens and Magno to complete the comeback and win, 2-1. Earlier in the year at Exploria Stadium, the Lions got a Tesho Akindele goal at the death, stunning NYCFC as Orlando City won 2-1 on Aug. 28, 2022. Junior Urso and Maxi Moralez had scored early in the first and second half, respectively, to set up Akindele’s dramatic late winner.
Orlando City had a five-game unbeaten streak in the series (1-0-4) absolutely demolished on July 25, 2021 in a 5-0 OCSC loss at Yankee Stadium. The Lions started a makeshift lineup, and it showed, as the Pigeons got goals from Jesus Medina, Ismael Tajouri-Shradi, Moralez, Malte Amundsen, and Valentin Castellanos. Why the makeshift lineup? That match was sandwiched between home games against Philadelphia and Atlanta, with quick turnarounds for each. The strategy was sound, as Orlando won the other two games in that nine-day span.
The teams met in Orlando on May 8, 2021 and drew 1-1. Nani smashed a golazo in the second half to put the Lions on top, but Joao Moutinho fouled Tajouri-Shradi in the box and Castellanos scored from the spot to equalize.
The last meeting of the 2020 season happened in the postseason and things got weird. Orlando City ultimately prevailed in penalties after a 1-1 postseason draw on Nov. 21, 2020. Nani put Orlando ahead from the penalty spot, only to see Maxime Chanot equalize on a set piece. Extra time couldn’t settle it, so to penalties we went, and the Lions advanced thanks to a save by defender Rodrigo Schlegel — after goalkeeper Pedro Gallese was sent off with a second yellow for coming off his line early. Benji Michel’s blast was the difference in the shootout. (Seriously, just click the above link in this paragraph and relive that madness.)
The Lions and Pigeons wrapped the 2020 season series on Oct. 14 at Exploria Stadium, playing to a 1-1 draw. Chris Mueller opened the scoring but Keaton Parks equalized just before halftime. The first meeting of 2020 also took place in Central Florida in the MLS is Back Tournament on July 14, when Mueller’s brace and a late Akindele insurance goal led Orlando to a 3-1 win. Medina scored for NYCFC. That win snapped Orlando City’s 0-4-3 streak in the previous seven competitive meetings with the Pigeons. The last match in that winless streak against NYCFC was a 1-1 draw, with the Lions then dispatching NYCFC from the U.S. Open Cup in a penalty shootout on July 10, 2019. That night has been immortalized for the running of The Wall and Adam Grinwis’ heroics in goal.
The teams drew both regular-season meetings in 2019, 1-1 on April 27 at Yankee Stadium, and 2-2 on opening day at Exploria Stadium. NYCFC took all three meetings in a dismal 2018 season series. The Lions went 2-1-0 against New York City FC in 2017, including a win to christen the stadium now known as Exploria with Cyle Larin scoring the only goal in a 1-0 OCSC win. Orlando was 3-1-2 in 2015 and 2016 in the first six meetings with NYCFC.
Match Overview
Orlando City is coming off a 4-2 victory over Toronto FC a week ago. The Lions have started the season quickly in the attack — sitting second in the conference in goals scored (6) — while the defense has struggled with individual mistakes and poor marking on set pieces. It will be interesting to see if Orlando sits back and looks to counter on a field that often punishes visiting teams for errant passes or heavy touches on both ends of the pitch in the team’s first away test of the year. Last season, the Lions were road warriors, going 8-6-3 away from Inter&Co Stadium, but they lost on the road to NYCFC.
New York City FC is playing in its home opener after starting the season with two straight road games. The Pigeons are coming off a 1-0 loss at LAFC on the heels of a 2-2 draw at Inter Miami, in which the Herons tied the game late. It’s been a good defensive start to the season for NYCFC, which is tied for second-fewest goals against in the Eastern Conference on the young season. NYCFC went 10-4-3 at home a year ago, so there is a clear advantage to being used to playing in the tight quarters of Yankee Stadium.
The Lions must try to keep Alonso Martinez under wraps. He’s hurt Orlando before and already has one of his team’s two goals this season. Moralez is always a dangerous provider and has an assist.
“We have competed at Yankee Stadium a few times in the last three or four years. We have to find a way to accommodate ourselves and also put out consistent performances,” Orlando City Head Coach Oscar Pareja said ahead of the game. “A good thing is that we are scoring goals, but the thing we have to correct is to stop conceding that many. We also know that the individual production has to be better. So, the plays and the stadium are part of the game and what we are concentrating on right now is being a better team and better individually.”
Orlando City will be without David Brekalo (shoulder), Wilder Cartagena (Achilles), Favian Loyola (thigh), Duncan McGuire (shoulder), Nico Rodríguez (thigh), and Yutaro Tsukada (knee), while Robin Jansson (thigh) is questionable.
Match Content
- Our Intelligence Report by Ben Miller provides the latest info on New York City FC from Hudson River Blue’s Matthew Mangam.
- The most recent episode of the PawedCast includes our key matchups and score predictions for tonight’s game.
- Our David Rohe provides his three keys to an Orlando City victory over New York City FC.
Official Lineups
Orlando City (4-2-3-1)
Goalkeeper: Pedro Gallese
Defenders: Rafael Santos, Robin Jansson, Rodrigo Schlegel, Alex Freeman.
Defensive Midfielders: Cesar Araujo, Eduard Atuesta.
Attacking Midfielders: Ivan Angulo, Martin Ojeda, Marco Pasalic.
Forward: Luis Muriel.
Bench: Javier Otero, Kyle Smith, Thomas Williams, Dagur Dan Thorhallsson, Joran Gerbet, Colin Guske, Gustavo Caraballo, Shak Mohammed, Ramiro Enrique.
New York City FC (4-3-3)
Goalkeeper: Matt Freese.
Defenders: Kevin O’Toole, Thiago Martins, Justin Haak, Mitja Ilenič.
Midfielders: Maxi Moralez, Jonathan Shore, Keaton Parks.
Forwards: Hannes Wolf, Alonso Martínez, Julian Fernandez.
Bench: Greg Ranjitsingh, Nico Cavallo, Strahinja Tanasijević, Birk Risa, Tomas Romero, Drew Baiera, Máximo Carrizo, Augustin Ojeda, Mounsef Bakrar.
Referees:
REF: Pierre-Luc Lauziere.
AR1: Mike Nickerson.
AR2: Ben Pilgrim.
4TH: Sergii Boiko.
VAR: Jorge Gonzalez.
AVAR: Jonathan Johnson.
How to Watch
Match Time: 7:30 p.m.
Venue: Yankee Stadium — The Bronx, NY.
TV/Live Stream: MLS Season Pass on Apple TV.
Radio: AM 810 FOX Sports Radio Orlando (English), Mega 97.1 FM (Spanish).
Twitter/Bluesky: For rapid reaction and live updates, follow along at @TheManeLand, as well as Orlando City’s official Twitter feed (@OrlandoCitySC). We’ll also provide live updates on Bluesky Social (@TheManeLand.bsky.social).
Enjoy the match. Go City!
Orlando City
Orlando City vs. Columbus Crew: Three Keys to Victory
What do the Lions need to do to earn all three points on the road against the Crew?

Orlando City is on the road again, this time against the Columbus Crew in a big Eastern Conference match. The last time Orlando City had two road matches in a row, the Lions brought home all six points, and the club has an opportunity to do that again Friday night. We’re in the last third of the regular season and Orlando City needs to start putting together the typical late playoff run. What must Orlando City do to earn all three points on the road?
The Return of Ramiro
Martin Ojeda has been on a tear. Marco Pasalic will score soon. I’m much more worried about Luis Muriel. He hasn’t scored a goal since May. He hasn’t even had an assist in the last two matches. He’s been a step behind when chasing the ball, and I think he might need a break. Ivan Angulo rode the bench for a couple of matches, and it has renewed him. Perhaps the same will happen for Muriel.
If he doesn’t get the start, that means a hopefully healthy Ramiro Enrique will be up top. Enrique isn’t a starting forward in this league, but he does bring better speed to the attack and he at least has a goal in the month of July. Sometimes switching things up can help both players and the attack in general.
Prove Them Wrong
Martin Ojeda was snubbed when it came to the MLS All-Star Game. His numbers deserved an invite, but that didn’t happen. What makes it even more annoying is that I think he was probably left out because of Lionel Messi getting a spot. A spot that will now go empty because Messi is skipping the All-Star Game. That seems on brand.
This will be Ojeda’s first opportunity since Wednesday’s All-Star Game to show what a mistake the league made in snubbing him — if they don’t already realize it. I’m certain that Ojeda is more concerned with helping the Lions get regular-season victories than he is any essentially meaningless appearance at the MLS cash grab, but I still want him to score another hat trick to really rub it in their faces. All he has to do is get past the Crew’s back line and keeper, Patrick Schulte.
Contain Rossi
In the match against the New England Revolution, Orlando City’s defense was able to keep Carles Gil off the scoresheet. If the Lions are able to do the same against the Crew’s Diego Rossi, then there’s a good chance at getting a result. Rossi leads the Crew with 11 goals, and he has four assists this season.
Containing Rossi will fall to Cesar Araujo, Alex Freeman, and the center backs. If Pareja sticks with the same back line as last match, Rodrigo Schlegel will need to be at the top of his game. If Pareja starts Rafael Santos, then David Brekalo will move back inside. The greatest part of the responsibility will fall on Araujo and whoever is at center back with Robin Jansson. While they’re doing that, stopping Daniel Gazdag would also be helpful.
That is what I will be looking for Friday night. Let me know your thoughts in the comments below. Vamos Orlando!
Lion Links
Lion Links: 7/24/25
MLS All-Star Team wins in Austin, Orlando City gets ready for the Columbus Crew, MLS transfer news, and more.

How’s it going, Mane Landers? It’s been a pretty hectic week for me, but I’m looking forward to some soccer over the next few days. There are also about six movies in theaters right now that I want to see, so I might try to watch one each night before the month ends. But for now, let’s dive into today’s links from around the soccer world.
MLS Triumphs in 2025 All-Star Game
The MLS All-Star Team won 3-1 against the Liga MX All-Star Team in Austin. MLS struck first, with Denis Bouanga tearing through the opposing defense before delivering a nice cross for Sam Surridge to head it home. Tai Baribo doubled the lead in the second half, but Gilbert Mora scored a goal for Liga MX to make things interesting. Brian White delivered the nail in the coffin by finishing off a frantic counterattack by the MLS All-Stars.
Despite being voted in as an All-Star, Orlando City defender Alex Freeman did not start in the match. Fellow Lion Marco Pasalic actually joined the fray before him in the 34th minute, with Freeman replacing him in the 61st minute.
Orlando City Prepares for the Columbus Crew
The Lions are back in action on Friday for a road match against the Columbus Crew, which will be their last game before the Leagues Cup begins next week. It’s the first match between the two Eastern Conference teams this season and possibly a preview to a playoff matchup. The Crew enter this match on a four-game unbeaten streak and have only lost once at home this season. Orlando Head Coach Oscar Pareja spoke on how the team will aim to carry momentum into this match after its 2-1 road victory against the New England Revolution on Saturday.
MLS Transfer News Roundup
The MLS summer transfer window opens today and teams aren’t wasting any time wheeling and dealing to prepare for a late-season surge. The loudest buzz is that LAFC is reportedly pushing for South Korean star Son Heung-min to join the club. The 33-year-old has spent the past 10 seasons with Tottenham Hotspur and would be one of the biggest signings in league history.
In other transfer news, the New York Red Bulls added midfielder Gustav Berggren from Rakow Częstochowa in Poland’s top flight. Speaking of Polish clubs, the Crew transferred midfielder Aziel Jackson to Jagiellonia Bialystok. CF Montreal traded up to $800,000 in General Allocation Money to Atlanta United in exchange for young center back Efrain Morales. The Colorado Rapids transferred Nigerian defender Chidozie Awaziem to FC Nantes as well.
England and Spain Will Face Off in Euros Final
Spain secured its spot in the Women’s European Championship final by beating Germany 1-0 in a tight match between two of the world’s top teams. After a scoreless 90 minutes, Aitana Bonmati scored her first goal of the tournament to give Spain the winner in extra time. It’s Spain’s first time reaching a Euros final and it will face England on Sunday in what should be a great match between the reigning World Cup and Euros champions.
Free Kicks
- The wait for the MLS board of governors to make a decision on shifting the league to a fall-to-spring schedule continues, as a vote on it did not take place during a meeting on Wednesday. I get the sense that this move is inevitable, but I’m fine with the league taking its time on this.
- Inter Miami duo Lionel Messi and Jordi Alba skipped the MLS All-Star Game, and only time will tell if the rule dictating that they must sit out of their next league match will be applied.
- American forward Josh Sargent reportedly declined a move from Norwich City to Wolfsburg in the Bundesliga.
- Liverpool signed forward Hugo Ekitiké from Eintracht Frankfurt for a reported $93.5 million transfer fee. I’ve been a bit desensitized to just how absurd transfer fees have gotten in recent years. But to put $93.5 million in perspective, that could pay my monthly expenses for the next 3900 years.
That’s all I have for you this time around. I hope you all have a wonderful Thursday and rest of your week!
Lion Links
Lion Links: 7/23/25
Freeman’s rise, MLS All-Star extravaganza, Marta and Brazil win, and more.

Welcome to Wednesday, Mane Landers. It’s MLS All-Star time, and if you’re like me, you think that the MLS All-Star Game should pit players from the Eastern Conference versus the Western Conference so that fans of the MLS teams can see more of the players in MLS compete. There could even be some sort of reward for the conference that wins the match. Wouldn’t that be cool? Unfortunately, that isn’t what we get. Since I can’t change it, let’s get to the links.
It’s Good to Be Alex
It’s been a heck of a year for Alex Freeman. He made his first start for Orlando City in March, earned his first call-up to the USMNT, got his first cap and first start for the USMNT, and now will appear in the MLS All-Star Game. Even for those of us that follow Orlando City, it’s been a meteoric rise for the defender, and there’s every expectation that he still has room to improve. His next opportunity to shine comes tonight.
Goalie Wars/Skills Challenge
MLS defeated Liga MX in the MLS All-Star Skills challenge in the last event — the crossbar challenge. Freeman provided crosses in the first competition, and then beat iShowSpeed — an online personality — in the “Speed” passing contest. Carlos Mercado did Orlando City B proud, making it to the final of Goalie Wars. Unfortunately he lost to Pedro Cruz of Houston Dynamo 2.
Almost All the All-Stars
The MLS All-Stars take on the Liga MX All-Stars in the MLS “All-Star” Game at 9 p.m. on Apple TV. Freeman won’t be the only USMNT player in the competition. The many story lines around the match include USMNT representatives facing some of their Mexican National Team rivals in the match. I’m certain that the promoters have been hyping Lionel Messi’s inclusion in the match. Unfortunately for them, he may miss the match despite being invited.
Marta and Brazil Victorious
The Brazilian Women’s National Team defeated Paraguay 4-1 in a first-round Group B match of the Copa América Femenina. The Orlando Pride’s Marta got the start for her country, though Angelina did not. Yasmim scored a brace for Brazil with Amanda Gutierres and Duda Sampaio adding the other two goals. Paraguay’s Camila Gomez was sent off in the 50th minute, making things easier for Brazil, which will face Colombia in its second match Friday at 8 p.m.
Free Kicks
- The Denver NWSL expansion team now has an official identity — Denver Summit FC. I like the logo, but they missed an opportunity to be The Denver Summit and forego “FC.” Oh well, it’s definitely better than some others.
- It turns out that NWSL teams can sign new players right now to improve their rosters. Who knew? The Houston Dash, that’s who. The club completed the transfer of Canadian international Clarissa Larisey from Crystal Palace FC.
- I don’t usually recommend taking lessons from FIFA on…well, anything, but perhaps there are some things MLS can take from FIFA’s Club World Cup.
- LA Galaxy and LAFC players received fines for violating the leagues mass confrontation policy.
That will do it for today. Check back as we get you ready for Orlando City’s match this Friday against the Columbus Crew. Vamos Orlando!
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