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 opponent in its home opener on Saturday night. Here is your NYCFC vs Orlando City preview.
• MLS Record: 1W, 0D, 1L | 3 points, 6th Place
• Scoring Leader: Marco Pasalic, 2 goals
• Assist Leaders: Cesar Araujo, Luis Muriel, Martín Ojeda, Kyle Smith, 1 assist
1. Mixed start to the season for Orlando
Hudson River Blue: Orlando had a mixed start to the season, losing to Philadelphia Union and beating Toronto FC. How do you assess the team’s first two games after an impressive 2024?
Ben Miller: It's really quite difficult to say. Starting center-back Robin Jansson has been unavailable for both games, and it really showed against Philly as the Lions shipped four goals. They haven't had a problem scoring at the other end, which is good, but more defensive stability would be nice.
It's hard to read too much into anything given Toronto's state of rebuild, and the fact that the Union went out and demolished what should be a very good FC Cincinnati team last week. I'll content myself with saying that the midfield has looked good, the defense shaky, and the offense has created chances which haven't always been put away.
2. Facundo Torres is gone
HRB: Orlando lost its all-time leading scorer, Facundo Torres, to Palmeiras last winter. The club signed Croatian winger Marco Pašalić to replace Torres. He already scored two goals, but do you think he’ll be able to live up to the legacy of Torres?
BM: Only time will tell, but Torres left some big shoes to fill for a guy who's only listed (perhaps generously) at 5'9. Pasalic had a great showing against Philadelphia with two goals but got mostly marked out of the game against Toronto. He seems to want to play much more direct than Torres often did, but he's also VERY one-footed, which isn't ideal. This early into his time in purple, I'm reserving full judgment, but I'm happy he's got his scoring account opened.
3. No Robin Jansson = 6 goals in 2 games
HRB: In two games, Orlando has conceded six goals. The backline is the same as last season, but is there a concern about Orlando’s defense?
BM: With Jansson not playing either game, it's hard to say how concerned we should be. When healthy, he instantly elevates the defense and the team as a whole, whether it's with his positioning, recovery speed, passing range, or ability to bring the ball forward from defense. When he isn't available the levels obviously drop, although there were some boneheaded individual mistakes made against the Union that his presence in the team wouldn't have prevented. If he can stay healthy then I feel pretty good about that area of the field, but if not then my palms will get noticeably more sweaty.
4. The X-Factor: Ramiro Enrique
HRB: What's the X-factor that could decide this game?
BM: The type of production that Orlando gets from the striker position.
Other than a secondary assist on Orlando's fourth goal against Toronto, Ramiro Enrique has been largely quiet in two starts. Luis Muriel has an assist on that aforementioned goal, and he's been coming on as a substitute through two games.
Orlando has traditionally had a downright tortuous time when playing NYCFC on the baseball fields, and I wouldn't hate to see Muriel get the start up top due to his ability on the ball and passing range in tight spaces. Regardless of who it is, if the Lions don't get meaningful contributions from the No 9, they could have a hard time holding up with what's been a leaky back line so far.
5. Predicted score, Starting XI
HRB: Prediction time: Starting XI? Final score?
BM: I always have bad vibes about playing NYCFC away, and I don't feel any differently today. 3-2 in favor of the home side.
