The top storylines ahead of Orlando City's third match at home of the 2017 season versus New York Red Bulls.
1- The Matador
Forward Cyle Larin has dominated the Red Bulls in four previous meetings. The 2016 MLS All-Star has scored four goals in four matches against NYRB. On Sept. 25, 2015, Larin netted his second career hat-trick in a 5-2 win against NYRB. The former MLS Rookie of the Year has already scored three goals in three matches to begin the 2017 MLS campaign, including both game-winners against NYCFC and Philadelphia.
2 - Patience Pays Off
Carlos Rivas has started City’s last five games, marking Rivas’ longest streak in the Lions starting XI. The Designated Player has a goal and two assists in that span, not including his subtle backheel touch on Cyle Larin’s game-winner on March 18 against Philadelphia. Rivas is third on City’s all-time list with 51 appearances, behind Kaká (53) and Cyle Larin (62).
3 - Hot Cup Of Joe
Orlando City goalkeeper Joe Bendik leads City’s stiff back line. The 27-year-old has continued to come up big time and time again for the Lions, including a MLS Save of the Week on Opening Day to deny NYCFC the equalizer and a massive stoppage-time save against the Union on an Alejandro Bedoya header. Bendik played every MLS minute in goal for Orlando City since the start of the 2016 season.
4 - The Eyes Of The World
This is Orlando City’s second time being nationally televised on ESPN and its third national broadcast this season. It is also the second in a string of five consecutive national TV games for the Lions, three of which are at Orlando City Stadium. The Lions will be on ESPN again on June 30 at Real Salt Lake and on July 21 when they host Atlanta United FC.
5 - Preserving Perfection
City will look to preserve its perfect home record when it hosts New York. The Lions unveiled their new stadium on March 5 when they welcomed 25,527 fans to see them blank NYCFC for their first Opening Day win in the MLS era. Then on March 18, Cyle Larin earned another early-game tally and put his team back in the lead in the 73rd minute. A win today would be the Lions’ first home win against New York.
6 - Reinforced
Jason Kreis benefitted from having Scott Sutter on his bench last Saturday in Columbus. Kreis went with the same back four from City’s two wins but moved Will Johnson farther up the pitch and slotted Sutter in at right back as the Lions pushed for the equalizer. Sutter was signed from Swiss side BSC Young Boys on March 3. The Lions also acquired midfielder Luis Gil from LigaMX Querétaro side Queretaro on Thursday.
7 - Back to Business
Tommy Redding made his season debut for the Lions in Columbus. The 20-year-old defender missed some of preseason and the beginning of the campaign while he was with the U.S. U-20 national team in Costa Rica. Redding started every match for the U.S. U-20s on their way to their first ever CONCACAF U-20 Championship title. Redding played 90 minutes in Orlando City B’s March 25 match at the Tampa Bay Rowdies.
8 - Forever A Lion
Red Bulls center back Aurélien Collin played 30 games for Orlando City in 2015 and 2016. Collin was a stalwart defender in the Lions’ 2015 expansion season, starting 27 of his 28 appearances and contributing an assist and two goals, including a stunning header in stoppage time to secure a point against New England on May 8 after the Lions trailed 2-0 in the second half.