ORLANDO – Sept. 24, 2015 – Orlando City SC (9-13-8, 35 points) will face the New York Red Bulls (14-8-6, 48 points) on Friday, Sept. 25, at Red Bull Arena, as the Lions intend to build on a two-game winning streak. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET.
The match will broadcast live nationally on UniMás. Locally, the game will be transmitted in English on Real Radio 104.1 FM and in Spanish on La Grande 1030 AM.
“The most important thing is that we go and play tomorrow night and look as though we know what's at stake because we're at that stage now where we need to take something from this game,” said head coach Adrian Heath. “I said all along that if we can keep it alive until the Montreal game we have a chance, and this weekend is going to go a long way in deciding that, so it's a big game for us. We'll have to play well. A mediocre performance won't be good enough. We're going to have to give one of our best performances of the season to get a result at the Red Bull Arena.”
Orlando City heads into Friday’s game after securing key back-to-back victories in recent weeks.
Kaká Confident Ahead Of Match Against Red Bulls
Following a comprehensive 3-1 win over Sporting Kansas City on Sept. 13, the Lions’ momentum continued on the road this past weekend when forward Bryan Róchez’s dramatic game-winning goal in the 86th minute of play propelled City to a 1-0 advantage over the Chicago Fire. Over 70 Front Office staff members were in attendance, giving the team the extra motivation it needed to finish.
With the squad nearing full strength at an important part of the season, all three of Heath’s second half substitutes played a key role in the goal including U.S. Men’s National Team (USMNT) midfielder Brek Shea and defensive midfield stalwart Darwin Cerén – both of whom returned to the 18-man roster this month.
Friday’s fixture marks the second meeting between Orlando City and the New York Red Bulls this season.
In their previous encounter at the Orlando Citrus Bowl on July 19, the Red Bulls snuck a 2-0 victory after City was reduced to 10 men in the first half, with USMNT midfielder Sacha Klejstan and Mike Grella finding the back of the net for the visitors.
Currently sitting in first place in the Eastern Conference, the Red Bulls became the first team to clinch a spot in the Audi 2015 MLS Cup Playoffs after defeating the Portland Timbers 2-0 at Providence Park this past weekend.
New York has won three of its last four games, defeating D.C. United 3-0 and the Chicago Fire 3-2, before suffering a 2-1 defeat to the New England Revolution.
Bradley Wright-Phillips, winner of the 2014 Golden Boot, currently leads the team in goals with 14 finishes, followed by Grella with seven. Klejstan has created the most goals for the Red Bulls, recording 10 assists along with six goals so far this year.
The Lions return to the Orlando Citrus Bowl on Saturday, Oct. 3, to host Eastern Conference foes Montreal Impact. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET.
