Orlando City vs New York Red Bulls Picks and Predictions November 30th 2024

Orlando City in Uncharted Territory in Eastern Final vs. Red Bulls

Orlando’s Historic Opportunity

Orlando City will make their first appearance in an Eastern Conference final on Saturday when they host a New York Red Bulls side few expected to reach this stage. Fourth-seeded Orlando dispatched ninth-seeded Atlanta 1-0 in their conference semifinal on Sunday via a late first-half goal from Ramiro Enrique, scored in the aftermath of an uncleared corner kick.

With Miami, Columbus, and Cincinnati all losing in their Round 1 series, Orlando is now the top remaining seed in the East.

Manager Oscar Pareja has led Orlando to the MLS Cup playoffs in each of his first five seasons with the club after the Lions failed to make the postseason in any of their first five years in the league. Pareja, who has the most MLS wins without an MLS Cup Final appearance, understands the gravity of the moment.

“This is history that needs to be written,” Pareja said. “It’s a new game with the importance to get a championship, but also to advance to the MLS Cup Final. So we will be prepared. The boys are ready.”

Regular-Season Lessons Against the Red Bulls

Orlando finished winless against the Red Bulls in the regular season, drawing 1-1 at home on March 30 and losing 1-0 at the Red Bulls on June 1. However, the Lions have been a far better team since Aug. 31, winning six of their final eight league games to bolster their playoff positioning.

The seventh-seeded Red Bulls won only three regular-season matches following their June 1 clash with Orlando, before finding their stride as the playoffs began. That midseason slump coincided with the absence of Emil Forsberg, who missed several months with a foot injury but recovered just in time for the postseason.

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Forsberg scored a goal in New York’s series-clinching, penalty shootout win over Columbus on Nov. 3. Dante Vanzeir added a goal and an assist in a 2-0 East semifinal victory at sixth-seeded New York City FC last Saturday, helping the Red Bulls keep a second consecutive away playoff clean sheet.

Schwarz Prepares for the Challenge

First-year Red Bulls manager Sandro Schwarz emphasized the need for his side to bring their best on Saturday to advance.

“We have to be ready in our intensity and our energy level, in our mentality as well on Saturday,” Schwarz said. “And then also for our defensive behavior and our offensive behavior, it’s very important then also to be very aggressive, and to play very, very clean.”

This Eastern Conference final will pit Orlando’s historic opportunity against New York’s resurgence, with the winner earning a coveted spot in the MLS Cup Final.