Orlando City is surging and visiting New York City FC is struggling as the teams prepare to face off Saturday night in a match with playoff implications for both sides.
Led by 2018 World Cup champion Antoine Griezmann, Orlando City (12-13-5, 41 points) is unbeaten in its past three MLS matches and holds seventh place in the Eastern Conference. The Lions are trying to solidify a playoff berth and avoid the wild-card round that features the eight- and ninth-place teams.
New York City FC (8-12-10, 34 points) are in 12th place and desperately need three points to stay in the mix for one of the wild-card berths.
Griezmann has 12 goals and seven assists in 14 league matches since coming over from Atletico Madrid in July. However, it’s been a collective effort for Orlando City, which owns a 9-4-2 home record.
“We have been strong at home, which is something we really look (to) continue doing. Every game is a new story and a new chapter,” Orlando City interim coach Martin Perelman said this week.
Martin Ojeda leads Orlando with 15 goals, including one on Oct. 17 during a 4-1 win over visiting D.C. United. Griezmann tallied twice in that contest.
On the down side, the Lions have allowed 70 goals, third-most in MLS. Perelman said David Brekalo likely will start again in place of Robin Jansson, who had season-ending foot surgery a week ago.
New York City knows time is running out.
NYCFC have won only once in their past 13 matches (1-6-6) but trail the New York Red Bulls by just two points for the race for the East’s final wild-card berth.
Nicolas Fernandez Mercau continues to be one of the most dynamic scorers in MLS with 15 goals and nine assists.
Andres Perea’s goal in the 59th minute salvaged a 1-1 draw against Los Angeles FC on Oct. 17 in NYCFC’s most recent match. New York City’s 43 goals rank 11th among the 15 Eastern Conference teams.
“Every percent counts in this moment during the season,” NYCFC coach Pascal Jansen said. “We need wins, and in order to win, you need goals.”
–Field Level Media
