Orlando City SC vs New York Red Bulls Match Week 8 Preview

Orlando, FL – Grab the bull by the horns and head to the 407. Two evenly matched teams face off in the City Beautiful this weekend. Take a seat, gather all necessary snacks, and leave the New York-style pizza behind. Time to preview the rematch week 8 preview between Orlando City SC and the New York Red Bulls.

Orlando City SC has the right to brush their shoulders off and feel clean after walking away with a 0-0 draw vs the stingy Philadelphia Union. Pedro Gallese notched his first clean sheet of the season against a very impressive goal-scoring team. Gallese built a barrier and stopped every shot attempt on goal by the Union. What is even more impressive is that Orlando walked away with one point on the road despite being down two starters, Eduard Atuesta and Cesar Araujo. The absence of both players does not appear to be a long-term deal. Dagur Dan Thorallsson and David Brekalo shined, given the opportunity to start. While walking away with a draw is not always ideal, City fans should be content with taking a road point versus the Union’s scoring artillery.

🟣🦁 #OrlandoCity pick up a point in Philly. The Lions got it done on the defensive side with a great game from El Pulpo 🐙, racking up 4️⃣ saves. Orlando is now only 4️⃣ points outside the 🔝 spot in the East!#VamosOrlando pic.twitter.com/p0wo4FzLwi

— Gustavo Chacon (@onaPSIh) April 7, 2025

Where they stand

With Philly in the rearview mirror, the next opponent has hailed a cab from Harrison, New Jersey, to Inter & Co. Stadium in the 407. The New York Red Bulls 3-2-2 are currently in 8th place with 11 points in the Eastern Conference. Orlando 3-2-2, respectively, also have 11 points and are ranked 6th in the same conference. The last time these two teams faced off nearly a month ago, the contest ended in a 2-2 draw. OCSC, the away team, notched two goals coming from Marco Pasalic and Martin Ojeda. The Red Bulls had tallies from Dennis Gjengaar and Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting.

Both Orlando and Red Bulls enter the pitch after having remarkable performances the previous week. NYRB defeated the red-hot Chicago Fire, snapping their five-game win streak. Choupo-Moting and Serge Ngoma added to their season goal totals, leading their team to victory. Orlando, on the other hand, was able to cool down Philly’s goal-scoring assault, resulting in a 0-0 draw. Both teams are looking sharp and want to climb up the leaderboard this weekend.

Matchday -1 from above 📸 pic.twitter.com/ERW4o4uuWo

— Orlando City SC (@OrlandoCitySC) April 11, 2025

The Challenges

Times have changed, or have they? The NYRB net defender, Carlos Coronel, was named to Team Matchday for week 7. Coronel was able to cool the flames of the Chicago Fire, allowing only one goal in the matchup. With that being said, since playing Orlando earlier in the season, Coronel has given up four goals. When the purple and gold originally faced off against Coronel, he led the league in allowing the least amount of goals scored. The Lions need to take advantage of the recent goalie slump and mimic the two-goal performance they previously had against NYRB. If Pedro Gallese can add another clean sheet at home, that would be the icing on the cake. El Pulpo will be tested, and if all goes well, he will find himself on the winning end.

It will take a Maximum effort to stop Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting. Choupo-Moting has scored two goals in the last three contests. Despite some tough matchups, Choupo-Moting has had plenty of scoring chances and has capitalized on his opportunities. Orlando defenders will have their plates full; however, if they play anything like they did in Philly, the Red Bulls will be tamed. Atuesta will more than likely be back in the starting lineup, and his ability to spread the ball will be needed. Expect strong performances from Marco Pasalic, Martin Ojeda, and Duncan Mcguire.

There is no false identity with the 407 population. The Iron Lion Firm and Ruckus know they are Orlando supporters that bleed purple and gold. The NYRB crowd says they are from New York but play in New Jersey. The Lions will keep the Red Bulls baffled. Tincho, Pasalic and Duncan McGuire (first goal of the year) will score giving OCSC the edge. The final- Orlando City SC 3- New Jersey Red Bulls-1.