In this edition of Oppo Research, Hudson River Blue asked Ben Millerof the Mane Land to tell us what’s going on with Orlando City, New York City FC’s opponent in Matchday 13, the midweek game that will be played tomorrow night in Florida: Here is your NYCFC vs Orlando game preview
Orlando aren’t having the strongest year. They sit in 11th place, one spot behind NYCFC. Both have 15 points, but while New York City are ahead on goal differential, Orlando have a game in hand.
Read on to see what Miller has to say about the most purple team in MLS.
Hudson River Blue: Orlando are coming off a 2022 when they won their first piece of silverware in the US Open Cup, but they quickly crashed out of the CONCACAF Champions League at the start of the season, and they have a not-great record of two wins, one draw, and three losses at home. What’s the mood at Exploria Stadium these days?
Ben Miller: It’s a fractured one. No one is happy with the team’s form but there are differing opinions on what should be done to fix it. There’s a contingent that wants Oscar Pareja gone, people who want to give him more time and place more of the blame at the feet of the players, and then the people who just want it all burned down regardless. The general consensus though, is that the performances haven’t been good enough, and improvement is needed.
