Playing the same team three times in quick succession is not something most players are used to and Orlando City is aware of the difficult task at hand.
“It’s a challenge. Every time you beat a team it gets harder to do it again and again,” midfielder Will Johnson said after the Lions morning training session on Friday. “This game will be harder than the first two matchups so we’re going to have to be perfect. They are a team coming off a bad result so they will be motivated. They will be ready to go in a major way.” NYCFC suffered an away defeat to Real Salt Lake Wednesday night.
However the quality of NYCFC is well documented. Orlando City will have to be both strong and organized in defense to keep the likes of David Villa and Jack Harrison at bay. Lions defender Scott Sutter is confident the team is up to the task. “It is up to us to shut them down and show that we’re the home team. We’re undefeated at home and want to keep that going at all costs.”
Sutter also commented on facing NYCFC three times in twelve matches. “It’s not easy. You could say it’s good because you know the opponent inside and out now, but at the same time it adds a bit of pressure. The momentum is definitely in our favor because we’ve gotten the last two victories so we can definitely look to show that confidence. And, we’re playing at home.”
The players will be ready and desperate to win three points on home soil.
After training on Friday morning Head Coach Jason Kreis spoke about the importance of an extra day of rest thanks to a charter flight home following Wednesday night’s draw in San Jose. “Our ownership stepped forward and chartered us a flight home immediately after the game in San Jose. Which shows a big level of commitment from our ownership that not every club in this league is willing to do. Because of that we were all home yesterday morning early and had an entire day’s rest and the guys looked pretty fresh today.”
This is good news heading into Sunday’s clash. Kreis rotated multiple players in the mid-week road match which has expanded his options to field the strongest team possible against NYCFC.
The stage is set as both clubs are acutely aware of their opposition’s defensive approach and attacking threats. Kreis believes desire over all else will decide who walks away from Sunday’s match victorious. “We have a very good understanding of what they’re about and what they’re trying to do – and they have a very good understanding of us. So I think at the end of the day it comes down to who wants it more.”
