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New York City FC seemingly recovered from their frustrating three-match losing streak to start the season by losing only twice in a 13-match span.

The turnaround lifted NYCFC into third place in the Eastern Conference, but a subsequent three-match slide pushed them back further into the standings heading into Friday’s visit from Orlando City.

NYCFC (9-8-2, 29 points) earned all of their wins from March 16 to May 31 when they went 9-2-2 and scored at least two goals in eight of those contests. On June 14, NYCFC blew an early lead in a 3-2 loss to the Columbus Crew, and in the past two weeks, they have not found the back of the net in road losses to the Los Angeles Galaxy and Nashville SC.

“We’re frustrated with the results and 100 percent not content, but it’s been a good opportunity to really feel and see when we’re good and when we win, and also when we’re not so good and why we don’t win,” NYCFC coach Nick Cushing said. “I think ultimately, the two things we’ve been good at has been the intensity that we play at and the amount of attacking football that we’ve created.”

While NYCFC’s hot streak gave them some room for a small slump, Orlando (5-8-6, 21 points) is still attempting to climb back into a playoff spot. Orlando enters this week in 10th, but tied with ninth-place Atlanta United on points.

Orlando stopped a 0-3-2 slide with Saturday’s 4-2 home victory against the Chicago Fire, matching their goal total from the winless skid. Facundo Torres scored twice, Luis Muriel converted a penalty kick and Orlando nearly blew a three-goal lead before surviving. They conceded 12 shots on goal and 19 shot attempts.

After last week’s performance, Orlando is attempting to get consecutive wins for the first time this season and earn its fourth road win of the year.

“We had a lot of positive things,” Orlando City coach Oscar Pareja said. “We scored four goals. We started seeing individuals improve their performances. The collective obviously looks much better.”

Santiago Rodriguez leads NYCFC with seven goals and six assists this year. Duncan McGuire has six goals to lead Orlando.

–Field Level Media