ORLANDO, Fla. (Aug. 26, 2022) - Orlando City SC (10-10-6, 36 points) returns to friendly confines this weekend as the Lions are set to host New York City FC (13-7-6, 45 points) at Exploria Stadium on Sunday, Aug. 28. That match, presented by Walt Disney World, is set to kickoff at 7:30 p.m. ET and will be broadcast nationally on FS1.
Sunday’s game will also be televised on FOX Deportes, and transmitted on 96.9 The Game in English and Acción 97.9 in Spanish. Tickets to the fixture can be found here or by calling (855) ORL-CITY.
“Here we are in front of another massive game against New York City,” Head Coach Oscar Pareja said. “A rival who come from their prior game in Chicago with a big three [points] as well after dealing with some challenges. [They play] with a structure of 4-2-3-1 and with players that we know already and have had prior competitions with. We have the same mentality to just keep adding points and stay committed to getting a win at home that we need so badly in front of our fans and continue this momentum of good results and performances. [We’re] trying to be smart as well with what is coming ahead and see the whole picture. We are getting ready as we have one more day of training tomorrow morning. The boys are in good form.”
The Lions are coming off a 2-1 road victory at Bank of America Stadium over 2022 expansion side Charlotte FC. The Lions were backed by second-half goals from forwards Ercan Kara and Tesho Akindele. Facundo Torres and Júnior Urso combined for the assist on Kara’s 62nd-minute goal, while Akindele’s goal served as the game-winner coming in the 89th minute with a smooth finish off of his own rebound. The win proved pivotal as it jumped the Lions above the playoff line going from ninth to fifth in the Eastern Conference standings.
Sunday’s match against Charlotte also saw defender Kyle Smith earn the start, which marked his 100th appearance across all competitions, all of which have come for Orlando. Smith is the fifth player this year to appear in 100 games while sporting the City kit. Teammates Robin Jansson, Tesho Akindele, Ruan, and Benji Michel all achieved the mark this year and all were acquired in the 2018-19 primary transfer window, which served as EVP of Soccer Operations Luiz Muzzi’s first at the helm.
NYCFC is coming off a 2-0 victory over the Chicago Fire at SeatGeek Stadium on Sunday night. The Pigeons were backed by two goals scored by Gabriel Pereira in the 16th minute and Santiago Rodríguez in the 46th. NYCFC Interim Head Coach Nick Cushing took over the team back on June 13 after their previous manager, Ronny Deila, joined Belgian side Standard Liège. The Club holds a 5-5-4 record across all competitions since Cushing took over.
After Sunday’s match, the Lions will have a quick turnaround as they welcome the Seattle Sounders to Exploria Stadium on Wednesday, Aug. 31. Kickoff for that match is set for 7:30 p.m. ET with tickets available here or by calling (855) ORL-CITY.
