It’s Matchday 13, and New York City FC are in Florida to face Orlando City SC: Here is your NYCFC vs Orlando game preview and Game Day Hub.
This is NYCFC’s final match in a five-game road trip. The results have been brutal: Four losses out of four played including a midweek matchup against FC Cincinnati in the US Open Cup. NYCFC scored just twice in that run of games, and have been shut out three times.
New York City and Orlando are both off to lurching starts in the 2023 season. Promising performances are followed by poor outings, players aren’t living up to their potential: No wonder the two teams are separated on the table only by one goal. NYCFC sit in 10th place in the Eastern Conference with 15 points after 12 games and a goal differential of -1, while Orlando are in 11th with 15 points after 11 games and a goal differential of -2.
NYCFC vs Orlando H2H
| GP | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 22 | 7 | 8 | 7 | 37 | 27 | +10 |
The head-to-head between the two are just as close. NYCFC have the edge on goals scored, but the clubs are dead even on results.
Let’s not mince words: NYCFC need a road win. The team have a bye this weekend, and a full 10 days to rest up between this game and the May 27 matchup against Philadelphia Union at Citi Field. A win today could do a lot to lift the spirits of the club and their fans.
Matchday Essentials
- Matchday 13: NYCFC at Orlando City
- Date and Time: Wednesday, May 17, 7:30 pm ET
- Kickoff Time: 7:39 pm ET
- Venue: Exploria Stadium
- Bruce Arena Forecast: Warm, breezy, rising humidity, 85˚F/30˚C
- Watch: MLS Season Pass on Apple TV
- Broadcast Team: Tony Husband and Ross Smith
- Listen: English and Spanish broadcasts on NYCFC Radio
- Officiating Crew: Sergii Boiko (referee), Corey Parker and Kevin Klinger (assistant referees), Lukasz Szpala (fourth official), Jorge Gonzalez (VAR), Logan Brown (assistant VAR)
RELATED: 5 things you should know about Orlando
NYCFC
• Injury Report: Alfredo Morales is out with a lower-body injury. There are no suspensions, and the rest of the squad is available.
• Who will score shoot at least try to take a shot for New York City? NYCFC were in a position to notch their first road win of the season when they faced the New Jersey Red Bulls on Sunday. But a full-strength New York City were beaten by a New Jersey wrecked by injuries and reeling after their manager was fired a few days earlier. Part of the problem is you need to score to win – and you need to shoot to score – but NYCFC managed just one shot on target.
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• Will head coach Nick Cushing line up Santiago Rodríguez as a False 9? It worked at home against FC Dallas on April 22, but the formation hasn’t provided results since then.
• Or will Gabriel Segal get the start as a more traditional No 9? The young striker has made four starts, and taken just two shots on target.
• Will Cushing employ a back three? A version of that lineup was in place in the last two games, while both matches ended as one-goal losses, the defense kept NYCFC in the running.
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Orlando
• Injury Report: Left-back Luca Petrasso is out with a thigh injury. Thomas Williams is on international duty with the US U-20 team. Midfielder Felipe Martins and attacking midfielder Mauricio Pereyra are questionable. Pereyra is a regular starter; Petrasso and Martins feature regularly; and Williams has yet to play for the First Team this season.
• Will Facundo Torres step up, or will the Designated Player continue to underwhelm as he has for much of the season?
• Expect Ercan Kara to start at the No 9. The 27-year-old has two goals and one assist in six games, and he’s making a case for himself to be a regular in the Starting XI.
• Looking for the projected starting lineup and inside dirt on the team? Check out Oppo Research: 5 things you should know about Orlando.
