Orlando City vs. New York Red Bulls: Three Keys to Victory

Orlando City is back in action Saturday night against the New York Red Bulls at Sports Illustrated Stadium. The Lions are riding a two-match winning streak heading into this Eastern Conference clash. Orlando City has looked like a different team since the break and the addition of Antoine Griezmann has everyone feeling good, but every point counts and we’ll see if the team can keep it going. What must the Lions do to earn all three points against New York?

Keep it Clean

Orlando City kept back-to-back clean sheets coming out of the World Cup break. To say I’ve been surprised by this is an understatement. The defense has been better — not perfect, but better. Robin Jansson has looked renewed and locked in, the other defenders are doing just enough to help him, and Antoine Griezmann is everywhere all at once, including in the defensive end.

New York may only have scored 26 goals so far, but I still think the defense will have its hands full with the Red Bulls attack. Julian Hall leads New York with nine goals this season, with Jorge Ruvalcaba right behind him with seven goals. The firepower doesn’t end with those two, as the Red Bulls also have Emil Forsberg, Cade Cowell, and Eric Choupo-Moting. Fortunately, the back line doesn’t have to do it alone.

The Magnificent Maxime

Following the World Cup, Maxime Crepeau is the goalkeeper we hoped he could be. The Canadian has 10 saves in the last two matches alone, including some that would win awards if anyone is still giving them out. The defense has played a higher line the last two matches, which may be helping him see things better. No matter the reason, I hope that whatever happened to him at the World Cup keeps working because he’s been outstanding. He even won the MLS All-Star Goalie Wars. If he can keep this form and the defense continues to improve, more clean sheets are on the way, potentially this weekend.

Accuracy Kills

Orlando City has been playing some beautiful soccer. The one-touch passing has been a joy to watch. The obvious change is the addition of Griezmann. His vision and talent is raising the play of those around him. I’m also going to hesitantly give credit to Martin Perelman. The interim coach had a mini preseason to implement his vision and it seems the team is implementing it on the pitch.

The Red Bulls are vulnerable in defense. Normally giving up 37 goals in 17 matches is pretty bad, and it is, just not in comparison to the 44 conceded by Orlando City. That comparison aside, New York has not been a staunch defensive squad like Nashville SC, and the Lions were able to score a goal against that team. Clean sheets are hard to come by, but if the offense is able to put a few on the board, it may make that unnecessary.

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