Another round of matches in the MLS 2024 season gets underway in the Big Apple on Friday night when Yankee Stadium will host the match between the 2015 expansion teams New York City FC and Orlando City SC.
These two go into the round in the middle third of the Eastern Conference table so both will be looking for a burst of good form heading into the Leagues Cup break. Apple TV or the bookmaker live streams will show the game.
New York City FC
It has been a bit of an up and down season for New York City FC but having missed out on the playoffs last term, they are at least in good shape to push on and qualify for them this time around, although they do head into this match off the back of a three-match winless streak, something they will be keen to end here. Two of those losses were on the road though and the other was at home to the champions Columbus Crew where NYCFC were down to 10 men in the first half.
Generally though New York are good at home this term. Six of their nine wins have come in the Big Apple and they are 6-1-3 at home so they will feel much more positive walking out in front of their own fans here, although the suspension of Santi Rodriguez isn’t going to help them, although Hannes Wolf was only a substitute in the loss at Nashville last time out so he certainly wouldn’t be the worst replacement in the attacking part of the pitch.
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Orlando City SC
When you consider how well Orlando City SC went last season, when they were the closest challengers to FC Cincinnati in the regular season table in the Eastern Conference, and then you add to that the level of signings that they made in the off season, particularly the eye catching addition of Luis Muriel, a lot was expected of the Floridians this term but they really haven’t lived up to those expectations and go into this match outside the playoff spots in the east.
Orlando are one of those weird MLS sides that actually have more wins on the road this term than they do at home so that might bode well for them here but the big concern is that since Pedro Gallese left for the Copa America, Oscar Pareja’s men have played three matches and conceded at least two in each of them. This still probably isn’t a side best suited to getting involved in shootouts despite their 4-2 win over Chicago last week so they will be grateful that Peru end their stay in the Copa America on Saturday night so he isn’t out for too much longer.
Betting
There are plenty of reasons to expect to see some goals in this match. Orlando City have never truly convinced me defensively without Pedro Gallese between the sticks and that has been evident in the last three matches when they have conceded twice or more on each occasion and New York City FC are starting to offer signs of progress moving forward, at home at least, now that key players such as Maxi Moralez is back for them. 19 of their 26 goals this season have been scored at home, in just 10 matches.
Orlando are not free scoring but they have been on their travels and scored three in DC and Philadelphia and twice in Montreal and Charlotte so when they get it right they can find the back of the net away from home and with Luis Muriel, Duncan Maguire, Facundo Torres and Nico Lodeiro this side should be scoring a lot more than they do. New York City have only kept one clean sheet in their last 10 so this one is all set up for a 3 goal line to at least push but most likely be covered.
Tips
Back Over 3 goals for a 3/10 stake at 1.75 with Bet365
