Matchday 4: Orlando City vs. New York Red Bulls Game Preview

Orlando, FL – Webster’s Dictionary defines depression as “a mood disorder where the patient experiences persistent symptoms of depressed mood, sadness, and a loss of interest in daily activities.” Fans are feeling the blues in New York, and the Lions are staying put in the Empire State. The only way to cure this ailment is with a win. And boy, does Orlando need some sweet relief as they face the New York Red Bulls in Matchday 4.

The Lead Up

Yankee Stadium has never been kind to Orlando City. Despite captain Robin Jansson coming back into the lineup, OCSC fell to the New York City FC 1-2. Luis Muriel scored the lone goal, assisted by newcomer Marco Pasalic. Orlando capitalized on NYFC’s fiery emotions by getting their opponent assessed two yellow cards and a red card. Despite the opposition being down one player starting in the 86th minute, the back of the net felt like an empty parking lot. “Playing NYCFC in NY is always hard for us. I would take our performance with a grain of salt. Playing on that field really never helps our performance, and I wouldn’t let it be a solid impression,” stated Lukas Photiou, an avid Lions fan.

The Foe

Orlando City had better be seeing red as they take on the New York Red Bulls. For the purple and gold matador to tame the bull, a wall must be broken down in the form of Carlos Coronel. Coronel was named to the MLS Team Matchday bench for week three. In the previous match, Coronel recorded a season-high seven saves versus Orlando’s longtime foe, Atlanta United, in a 0-0 draw. In addition, Colonel is coming off a second consecutive clean sheet. The Red Bulls rank second lowest in the MLS for allowing goals scored this season, only allowing one goal in the first three contests.

Una portería a cero 🧤

A season-high 7️⃣ saves against Atlanta earns Carlos a spot on @MLS Team of the Matchday for the first time this season. pic.twitter.com/JGYYSWV599

— New York Red Bulls (@NewYorkRedBulls) March 10, 2025

Turn the heat up and pack away the parka. Game time temps will be 20 degrees higher than last week, with kick-off in the upper 50s. Orlando enters the pitch with a 0-1-2 record versus the NY Red Bulls last season and this preseason combined. The only Lion goal scored (if you want to call it that) in the last three matchups between the two teams was an own goal by Noah Eile. Long story short, 99 problems, and scoring is one.

Who will Turn Up?

Shots on goal create opportunities. Expect Marco Pasalic to be involved early and often. If there is one thing we have seen so far, it is that Pasalic is the real deal. When Pasalic is putting the ball on net, results quickly follow. In addition, Pasalic is getting it done through a collaborative effort by assisting his fellow teammates’ scores. Expect much to remain the same in this bout. Pasalic will also need a little help from his friends, so expect Martin Ojeda and Cesar Araujo to get in the action as well.

The season is still early, and fans need to keep their hopes alive. “It is very easy to see the initial few games not all going your way and become disheartened, but hopefully that is not what is happening to the team and they are keeping their spirits up. There’s still a lot of season left to go, and they’ve shown a lot to be optimistic about. If the defensive operation can shake out the off-season cobwebs and tighten up a bit, I think the team can still be a force to be reckoned with,” stated Christopher “CJ” Loughran, a passionate OCSC follower.

Frank Sinatra once said, “These little town blues are melting away. I’m gonna make a brand new start of it, in old New York.” That’s exactly what the Lions need to do. It’s time to roar and make a statement in this game. The final prediction is 3-0 Lions. Pasalic, Araujo and Ojeda tally a score. Call it crazy, but something has to cure this depression, and the only medication is a W.