Orlando City hosts New York’s Red Bulls hoping to extend its unbeaten streak
A rematch between Eastern Conference playoff hopefuls features Orlando City SC’s potent offense against the New York Red Bulls’ tenacious “D.”
Orlando City’s Eduard Atuesta, right, controls the ball during a 2-1 win over the L.A. Galaxy. Photo: Ronald Martinez/Getty Images
When Orlando City (3-2-2, 11 points) and the Red Bulls (3-2-2, 11 points) met March 15 at Sports Illustrated Stadium, the teams played to a 2-2 draw that was the first result in the Purple’s ongoing four-match unbeaten streak.
The Red Bulls — who, like several “New York” professional sports franchises, actually play in New Jersey — also have remained in form, winning two of their three matches since hosting the Lions.
• WHAT: New York Red Bulls at Orlando City
• WHEN: 4:30 p.m. ET Saturday, April 12
• WHERE: Inter & Co. Stadium, Orlando, Fla.
• TV: MLS Season Pass on Apple TV
• RADIO: Orlando — AM 810 Fox Sports Radio (English), Mega 97.1 FM (Spanish)
• Radio: New York — Red Bulls Radio on the New York Red Bulls app and NewYorkRedBulls.com (English), 1050 AM Nueva York (Spanish)
The teams’ second Major League Soccer matchup in 2025 kicks off at 4:30 p.m. Saturday at Inter & Co. Stadium in Orlando. The Bulls’ and Lions’ last match in Florida was the 2024 Eastern Conference final, when New York ended Orlando’s season 1-0 thanks to an Andre Reyes’ second-half goal and the Red Bulls’ trademark defensive pressure.
Through seven MLS games, the clubs have identical records and point totals, but the rivals’ success comes from very different tactics. Orlando City is tied with San Jose for the most goals scored, 15, despite being held to a scoreless draw last week against the Philadelphia Union; its defense, on the other hand, has allowed 12 scores, more than all but seven of 29 other clubs.
Conversely, the Red Bulls field one of the league’s stingiest defenses with only seven goals allowed — just six clubs have fewer — and deploy one of MLS’ more modest attacks; 14 teams have scored more than New York’s nine goals.
Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting has three goals and an assist in the New York Red Bulls’ last four matches. Photo: IMAGO
Emil Forsberg and Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting lead New York’s attack with four goal contributions — three goals and an assist — each. Choupo-Moting, who scored his first MLS goal against Orlando in March, has compiled his numbers in the Red Bulls’ last four matches.
Designated players Luis Muriel (3 goals, 3 assists), Martin Ojeda (4 goals, 3 assists), and Marco Pašalić (3 goals, 1 assist) lead the Lions’ attack with 18 goal contributions.
Orlando midfielders Eduard Atuesta and Cesar Araujo, who missed last week’s match against Philadelphia, are listed as questionable for Saturday’s match. Araujo is recovering from a lower leg injury, while Atuesta is nursing a sore thigh.
Dagur Dan Thorhallssen and Joran Gerbet are capable substitutes, but Atuesta and Araujo are strong defensively and have the awareness and skills to help initiate the offense from their own end of the field. If they’re able to play against New York, they would give the host Lions a clear advantage.
Possible starting lineups
Orlando City: Pedro Gallese; David Brekalo, Rodrigo Schlegel, Robin Jansson, Alex Freeman; Ivan Angulo, Cesar Araujo, Joran Gerbet, Marco Pašalić; Luis Muriel, Martin Ojeda.
New York Red Bulls: Carlos Coronel; David Nealis, Noah Eile, Tim Parker; Serge Ngoma, Felipe Carballo, Daniel Edelman, Omar Valencia, Mohammed Sofo; Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting, Emil Forsberg.