Orlando City head coach Oscar Pareja praised his side’s “seriousness” of returning to winning ways ahead of welcoming New York City FC to Inter&Co Stadium this weekend.

The Lions recorded a fourth straight MLS triumph against Nashville SC last time out having won just one of their previous seven league encounters.

Orlando’s upturn in form has seen them bridge the gap between the sides below them and currently sit seventh in the Eastern Conference table, just five points behind New York Red Bulls.

Pareja is hoping to continue their upward trajectory on home soil this weekend, with his players maintaining their responsibilities highlighted as a key component to their recent success.

“We are really happy, indeed with the result, but most importantly with the seriousness of the team, the discipline, the responsibility that the boys have had on bouncing back from those difficult moments,” Pareja said.

“And not just bounce back, but just keeping the level and the feeling and the plays against a [Nashville] team that is very difficult. I thought we played a very serious game.

“I see that group just playing the way we are and keeping our responsibilities, but at the same time being productive for the group. Very complete game for us and we’re happy and ready to move toward the next one.”

How we feelin’ this morning? pic.twitter.com/j1z5hWz9Kg

— Orlando City SC (@OrlandoCitySC) July 18, 2024

For NYCFC, they are now without a win in their last three league fixtures following their 2-2 draw with Atlanta United in midweek.

But the draw at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium did come with its positives. Daniel Rios and Saba Lobzhanidze had given the hosts a comfortable two-goal advantage heading into half-time.

However, Nick Cushing’s side showed their powers of recovery to score twice after the interval, with Talles Magno’s late penalty securing what could prove to be a very important point.

NYCFC are currently in fifth in the Eastern Conference table, and know a win is a must ahead of the Leagues Cup break next week.

Fought until the end.

@etihad

— New York City FC (@newyorkcityfc) July 18, 2024

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Orlando City – Martin Ojeda

The Lions have been among the goals in their recent MLS fixtures, with Martin Ojeda key to their goal-scoring output.

Ojeda has registered four goal contributions in his last five league games (two goals, two assists), with one of those assists coming in the reverse fixture between the two sides back in June.

NYCFC – Talles Magno

Having suffered a knee injury in NYCFC’s opening game against Charlotte, Talles Magno had to bide his time for a return to first-team action, but he took that opportunity with both hands.

Magno scored a penalty in their draw with Atlanta and boasts an impressive record against this weekend’s opponents.

In his four games against Orlando, the Brazilian has scored two goals and provided two assists, losing just once against the Lions.

MATCH PREDICTION: ORLANDO CITY WIN

Orlando come into the contest with their confidence sky-high following their fourth consecutive league victory. Their last longer winning streak came between October – November 2023 when they won six on the bounce.

The Lions have scored 22 goals in their last eight league games, the most they have managed this season, as they continue to climb the Eastern Conference table.

NYCFC are enduring another period without a victory and have now gone three games without a win. However, they boast an impressive record over this weekend’s opponents and are unbeaten in their four meetings (W3, D1), with their last defeat coming in August 2022.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Orlando City – 46.5%

Draw – 26.5%

NYCFC – 27%