Our prediction for this MLS match:
Orlando City and New York Red Bulls square off against each other at Exploria Stadium in what is expected to be an exciting MLS game. Orlando City aim to get their revenge on New York Red Bulls for the defeat at Red Bull Arena, and we are positive that the hosts will leave their hearts on the field. The Lions are eyeing their fourth consecutive league win, but they will have to do it with experienced attacker Pato, who remains on the sidelines with injury.
Attacker Chris Mueller, who found the net in the 2-1 win over Inter Miami, is pushing for a start. The Metros, on the other hand, continue with their habit of producing much better showings at home than on the travels, which is the main reason why home win should be considered. Cristian Casseres returns from international duty, while all Diarra, Gutman, Long, and Royer have been struggling with injuries of late.
Highlighted Player (Nani):
Nani is a product of Sporting CP’s famous youth academy. The pacey winger played 58 games for the capital club in Primeira Liga, scoring nine goals and in 2007 he joined Premier League side Manchester United. He signed a five-year deal with the Old Trafford outfit for a fee of €25.5 million.
He joined his compatriot Cristiano Ronaldo at Man Utd and it has to be noted that Nani he spent eight seasons at the club. In 2014 he returned to Sporting (loan) and at the end of the 2014/2015 Primeira Liga campaign he moved to Turkish side Fenerbahce.
In 2016 he signed a three-year deal with Valencia for an undisclosed fee. Speaking of his international career, Nani did remarkably well to win the 2016 European Championship trophy with Portugal and it has to be noted that he started against France in the title game. The Portuguese winger won the 2007/2008 Champions League trophy with Manchester United.
Highlighted Team (New York Red Bulls):
New York Red Bulls is the first club from New York City to join Major League Soccer. In 2006 the club was sold to Red Bull GmbH and, as a result, they are nicknamed the Red Bulls. New York welcome their rivals at Red Bull Arena and the team’s home colors are white and red.
On the other hand, the Red Bulls wear dark blue shirts and yellow shorts on the road. In 2008 New York Red Bulls made it to the MLS Cup final, but they were not capable of matching Columbus Crew (1-3) in the Home Depot Center clash. A number of top-class footballers were part of the team in the past, but former Arsenal forward Thierry Henry is the synonym of the club.
Henry scored 51 goals in 122 league games for New York Red Bulls from 2010 to 2014 and it has to be noted that he scored his first MLS hat-trick in a 5-2 victory over Montreal Impact on March 31, 2012. The likes of Youri Djorkaeff, Lothar Matthaus, Roberto Donadoni, Rafael Marquez, Juninho and Tim Cahill played for the club in the past as well.