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Orlando Metropolis head coach Oscar Pareja praised his facet’s “seriousness” of returning to successful methods forward of welcoming New York Metropolis FC to Inter&Co Stadium this weekend.
The Lions recorded a fourth straight MLS triumph towards Nashville SC final day trip having received simply one among their earlier seven league encounters.
Orlando’s upturn in type has seen them bridge the hole between the perimeters under them and presently sit seventh within the Japanese Convention desk, simply 5 factors behind New York Purple Bulls.
Pareja is hoping to proceed their upward trajectory on residence soil this weekend, along with his gamers sustaining their duties highlighted as a key part to their latest success.
“We’re actually comfortable, certainly with the outcome, however most significantly with the seriousness of the group, the self-discipline, the accountability that the boys have had on bouncing again from these tough moments,” Pareja mentioned.
“And never simply bounce again, however simply conserving the extent and the sensation and the performs towards a [Nashville] group that could be very tough. I believed we performed a really severe recreation.
“I see that group simply enjoying the best way we’re and conserving our duties, however on the identical time being productive for the group. Very full recreation for us and we’re comfortable and able to transfer towards the subsequent one.”
How we feelin’ this morning? pic.twitter.com/j1z5hWz9Kg
— Orlando Metropolis SC (@OrlandoCitySC) July 18, 2024
For NYCFC, they’re now with out a win of their final three league fixtures following their 2-2 draw with Atlanta United in midweek.
However the draw on the Mercedes-Benz Stadium did include its positives. Daniel Rios and Saba Lobzhanidze had given the hosts a cushty two-goal benefit heading into half-time.
Nevertheless, Nick Cushing’s facet confirmed their powers of restoration to attain twice after the interval, with Talles Magno’s late penalty securing what might show to be an important level.
NYCFC are presently in fifth within the Japanese Convention desk, and know a win is a should forward of the Leagues Cup break subsequent week.
Fought till the top.
@etihad
— New York Metropolis FC (@newyorkcityfc) July 18, 2024
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Orlando Metropolis – Martin Ojeda
The Lions have been among the many targets of their latest MLS fixtures, with Martin Ojeda key to their goal-scoring output.
Ojeda has registered 4 purpose contributions in his final 5 league video games (two targets, two assists), with a type of assists coming within the reverse fixture between the 2 sides again in June.
NYCFC – Talles Magno
Having suffered a knee harm in NYCFC’s opening recreation towards Charlotte, Talles Magno needed to bide his time for a return to first-team motion, however he took that chance with each palms.
Magno scored a penalty of their draw with Atlanta and boasts a formidable report towards this weekend’s opponents.
In his 4 video games towards Orlando, the Brazilian has scored two targets and offered two assists, shedding simply as soon as towards the Lions.
MATCH PREDICTION: ORLANDO CITY WIN
Orlando come into the competition with their confidence sky-high following their fourth consecutive league victory. Their last more successful streak got here between October – November 2023 after they received six on the bounce.
The Lions have scored 22 targets of their final eight league video games, essentially the most they’ve managed this season, as they proceed to climb the Japanese Convention desk.
NYCFC are enduring one other interval with out a victory and have now gone three video games with out a win. Nevertheless, they boast a formidable report over this weekend’s opponents and are unbeaten of their 4 conferences (W3, D1), with their final defeat coming in August 2022.
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
Orlando Metropolis – 46.5%
Draw – 26.5%
NYCFC – 27%
