NEW YORK CITY FC vs. ORLANDO CITY SC
YANKEE STADIUM, Bronx, New York
March 18, 2016 (WEEK 3, MLS GAME #21)
7 pm ET (UniMás, MLS LIVE)
The members of the expansion class of 2015 meet for the first time this season when New York City FC play host to Orlando City SC at Yankee Stadium on Viernes de Fútbol. Both teams come into the match undefeated on the young season. NYCFC have a win and a draw, after reaching a 2-2 result with Toronto FC in their home opener last weekend. Orlando City have a pair of draws to show for two home games to start the year, last a 1-1 tie with the Chicago Fire.
David Villa recorded his fifth multiple-goal game – in 32 MLS league appearances – in NYCFC’s 2-2 draw with Toronto FC on Sunday at Yankee Stadium. Of the 20 goals Villa has scored since coming to MLS, six have been against Toronto FC.
Cyle Larin netted for a second consecutive game as Orlando City SC recorded a second consecutive draw, a 1-1 tie with the Chicago Fire on Friday evening at the Citrus Bowl. Larin has scored in both games; dating back to last season, Larin has eight goals in his last six MLS games.
The teams met three times in the inaugural season for both. In the first meeting between a pair of expansion clubs to open their MLS histories, the teams reached a 1-1 draw March 8 at the Citrus Bowl.
Each team then won on its home ground, New York City FC taking a 5-3 win July 26 at Yankee Stadium, and Orlando City returning the favor with a 2-1 win Oct. 16 at the Citrus Bowl.
REFEREE: Allen Chapman. AR1 (bench): Claudio Badea; AR2 (opposite): Danny Thornberry; 4th: Jose Carlos Rivero
MLS Career: 72 games; FC/gm: 23.6; Y/gm: 3.7; R: 17; pens: 30
SUSPENDED: none
DISABLED LIST: NYC: Jack Harrison
INTERNATIONAL ABSENCES: none
HEAD-TO-HEAD
ALL-TIME (3 meetings): NYCFC 1 win, 7 goals … Orlando City 1 win, 6 goals … Ties 1
AT NYCFC (1 meeting): NYCFC 1 win, 5 goals … Orlando City 0 wins, 3 goals … Ties 0
RETURN MATCHES: 5/29: New York City FC vs. Orlando City SC, 4 p.m. ET (ESPN1); 8/28: Orlando City SC vs. New York City FC, 7 p.m. ET (FS1)
