New York Red Bulls II vs. Orlando City B
MSU Soccer Park – Montclair, N.J.
Monday, July 31 – 7:00 p.m. ET
MLSNEXTPro.com
#NYvORL
MONTCLAIR, N.J. (July 31, 2023) - New York Red Bulls II (9-6-4, 33 pts.) return home after a two-match road stand to host Orlando City B (10-7-3 33 pts.) at MSU Soccer Park. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. ET and coverage is available on MLSNEXTPro.com
Today’s match will be a crucial one, as there is opportunity for both sides to start building a lead in the Eastern Conference standings. The clubs are currently tied on points with 33 and sit at fourth and fifth in the Conference, which right on the edge of the playoff line. A win from either side would create some breathing room going forward as the regular season comes to a close.
In the last matchup between New York and Orlando at Osceola Heritage Park, a back-and-forth battle ended with the home side claiming all three points. After Orlando took an early 1-0 lead, New York bounced back with two quick goals from Ibrahim Kasule and Ricardo Gorday to close out the first half. Orlando answered with two more goals of their own in the second half to secure a 3-2 victory.
Both clubs are coming off wins in their most recent matches, with New York defeating FC Cincinnati 2, 2-0, and Orlando topping Chicago Fire FC II, 3-2. Orlando has won three out of their last four, but have lost three straight on the road and hold a 3-6-0 record away from home this season. New York will look to improve their current home record of 5-3-1.
In what seems to be a weekly occurrence, midfielder Ibrahim Kasule will attempt to continue his incredible run of form over the past two months. Over ten matches, the Ugandan has scored nine goals and notched four assists. He has scored in six consecutive matches, which is the most in club history after passing Stefano Bonomo and Brandon Allen, who had both done so in five straight.
The defensive play from New York returned to its usual self in the last match against Cincinnati. A.J. Marcucci and the back line tallied the seventh clean sheet of the season for Red Bulls II, which is good for the second most in the entire league. New York has also allowed the third least goals in MLS NEXT Pro this season with 22. The defense and Marcucci will have their hands full against Orlando midfielder Jack Lynn, who is currently tied for the league lead in goals with 12 on the year.
Coverage is available on MLSNEXTPro.com
