In this edition of Oppo Research, Hudson River Blue spoke with Ben Miller of The Mane Land to learn more about Orlando City SC, New York City FC's road opponent on Wednesday night. Here is your NYCFC vs Orlando preview.
• League Form: D-D-L-W-W
• Record: 9W, 8D, 5L | 35 points, 6th place
• Scoring Leader: Marco Pašalić and Martín Ojeda, 10 goals
• Assist Leader: Martín Ojeda, 7 assists
1. A good team hurt by inconsistency
Hudson River Blue: Orlando sits sixth in the Eastern Conference, four points ahead of NYCFC. Despite some disappointing losses, Orlando looks set to make the playoffs for the fifth straight year. How do you assess the team’s season so far?
Ben Miller: It's been frustratingly uneven. This team has the pieces and the chemistry to be a player near the top of the conference, but a combination of injuries and absences early in the season, and an unfortunate habit of making crucial errors at the worst times, means that the Lions have definitely left some points on the table. Orlando has done some good things, but the team has yet to really live up to its full potential.
2. Goals come from wingers, not strikers
HRB: Wingers Marco Pašalić and Martín Ojeda have been outstanding this season, leading Orlando with 10 goals each. Strikers Ramiro Enrique and Luis Muriel have also produced offensively, but not as much as the wingers. Why do you think this is the case?
BM: Enrique's finishing can be a little inconsistent at times, although he works hard, presses like a demon, and usually gets himself into plenty of good positions. As far as Muriel is concerned, he tends to be a little too unselfish when he's in dangerous positions. He's one of the best dribblers and passers on the team, and its obviously great to look to bring your teammates into the game, but sometimes he just needs to keep it a little simpler and shoot when there's an opening.
3. Orlando is glad to see Alex Freeman back
HRB: Orlando’s defense is also solid, conceding just 29 goals in 22 games. The defense recorded five straight clean sheets from April 5 to May 3, but hasn’t been as sharp this summer. What are your thoughts on the backline?
BM: It's been a bit odd. Alex Freeman has been fantastic and rightfully earned a call-up for the Gold Cup this summer. At left back, David Brekalo has supplanted Rafael Santos, with Rodrigo Schlegel and Robin Jansson forming the center back pairing. Brekalo is a great defender, but is a bit limited going forward, which isn't as big of a deal when Freeman is marauding forward on the other side. Jansson is a steady, calming presence, and while Schlegel is usually solid, he can be a bit rash in the challenge and is susceptible to being pulled out of position at times.
Having Freeman back from international duty should help, but as a unit the back four just needs to be better about maintaining focus for the full 90 minutes. Lately, the goals have been getting conceded due to lapses in concentration and silly mistakes, and the self-inflicted wounds need to stop.
4. The X-Factor: Eduard Atuesta
HRB: What's the X-factor that could decide this game?
BM: Eduard Atuesta. He's tied with Muriel for the second-most assists on the team with six, and he does a ton of work in linking the defense to the offense. If he's on form then he does a ton of chance creation work for the team, and gives opponents another guy in the middle of the field to worry about along with Ojeda.
5. Predicted score, Starting XI
HRB: Prediction time: Starting XI? Final score?
BM: Score prediction: 2-1 in favor of Orlando City. This team is feeling some pressure after an uninspiring performance against a poor Montreal side, and I think they'll be ready to play and get the job done.
