Orlando City vs NYCFC preview: How to watch, kick off time, team news, predicted lineups, and ones to watch

Orlando City returns to Exploria Stadium on Sunday evening after back-to-back away victories to take on expansion rivals, NYCFC.

The Lions left it late last weekend away at Charlotte. Ercan Kara's go ahead goal was canceled out by McKinze Gaines' first goal in Charlotte colors. However, Tesho Akindele came on the field to score his first MLS goal in over 430 days to win the match in the 89th minute - what could prove to be a huge goal in both teams' seasons.

NYCFC come into this one off the back of a win as well, defeating the Chicago Fire 2-0 at SeatGeek Stadium. Goals from Gabriel Pereira and Santiago Rodríguez were enough to give the Boys in Blue their first victory since July 24.

The visitors have hit a bit of a rough patch since the departure of top scorer Taty Castellanos to Girona, but do still occupy 3rd place in the Eastern Conference. Orlando sit 5th going into this weekend's matches, however, they could be below the playoff line if they fail to win and results go against them.

Team news

Robin Jansson was a surprise absentee against Charlotte last week; he missed out with a foot injury sustained in training. The Swede is listed as questionable ahead of Sunday.

Orlando City gave an update on Alexandre Pato last week, stating that the Brazilian will undergo surgery on his right knee on September 9. Although no timeline for Pato's return has been made available as of yet, it is expected that he will miss the remainder of the MLS campaign. Mauricio Pereyra also misses out through yellow card accumulation.

As for the visitors, Keaton Parks (calf), Alex Callens (MCL) and Alfredo Morales (lower body) are all listed as out. Santiago Rodríguez misses out through suspension, while Matías Pellegrini could make his debut after leaving Inter Miami, this year.

Predicted lineups

Orlando: Gallese, Moutinho, Antonio Carlos, Schlegel, Ruan, Perea, Araújo, Mulraney, Urso, Torres, Kara.

NYCFC: Johnson, Amundsen, Martins, Chanot, Tinnerholm, Haak, Acevedo, Talles Magno, Thiago, Pereira, Heber.

Ones to watch

Ercan Kara

Signed from Rapid Vienna in the offseason, striker Ercan Kara is starting to find his feet in MLS.

The Austrian is fresh off a goal in the previous match at Charlotte, and is Orlando's top scorer this season with 8 league goals.

Kara has been somewhat inconsistent for the Lions this year, but once it all clicks into place he could become one of the best number 9s in the league.

Talles Magno

Exciting Brazilian Talles Magno has proved to be one of the best youngsters in MLS this season, with six goals and six assists in 26 matches.

Although predominately a left winger, the 20-year-old has featured at center forward on a number of occasions since the departure of Taty Castellanos.

If Talles Magno can keep performing he will surely get a European move in the next year or two, potentially somewhere in the City Football Group, as we've seen with Jack Harrison and Taty Castellanos.

Last time out

Orlando fans, you may want to skip this part.

The last time these two teams met was in the 2021 season at Yankee Stadium - the Pigeons came out 5-0 victors.

Orlando put out a rotated team in the Bronx, but NYC did 100% deserve the three points.

Jesús Medina scored the only goal of the first period with an absolute rocket past Pedro Gallese to give the Boys in Blue a deserved lead at the break.

In the second half, goals from Tajouri-Shradi, Moralez, Amundsen and Castellanos wrapped up a dominant display.

To add insult to injury, Orlando shot stopper Pedro Gallese finished the game with an injury which saw the Peruvian out for the next few games.