Orlando City SC vs. New York City FC | 2020 MLS Match Preview

2020 MLS Regular Season – Week 18
Orlando City SC vs. New York City FC
Exploria Stadium – Orlando
October 14 – 7:30 PM ET

STREAMING: MLS LIVE on ESPN+ in US; on DAZN in Canada

LOCAL TV: YES, FOX 35 Plus

Orlando City SC will put a 10-match unbeaten streak on the line when they host New York City FC at Exploria Stadium Wednesday night.

Orlando City SC (8W-2L-6D) are fourth in the Eastern Conference following a 0-0 draw against Atlanta United, four points in front of fifth-place NYCFC (8W-7L-2D), which suffered a 2-1 home loss to the New England Revolution Sunday.

The Lions flexed their muscles in a decisive 3-1 win at the MLS is Back Tournament in the last meeting between the teams. Chris Mueller struck for an early brace in the group stage win.

Orlando City SC

Orlando City SC's anticipated Week 17 match against the Columbus Crew was postponed following two confirmed cases of COVID-19 among the Columbus Crew staff. Orlando City confirmed a positive test result among its first team roster earlier on Saturday.

MLS also postponed the FC Dallas vs. Minnesota United match following two confirmed positive cases of COVID-19 among the Minnesota United player pool. The league said both matches were postponed to ensure the health and safety of all players and staff and to allow for further testing and evaluation prior to travel and competition.

Orlando announced the signing of winger Alexander Alvarado on a short-term loan from Ecuadorian side S.D. Aucas with a permanent transfer option for after the 2020 season on Tuesday.

Updated team roster
Injury Report:
- OUT: Dom Dwyer (F) - knee injury
- OUT: Joao Moutinho (D) - groin injury
- OUT: Uri Rosell (M) - undisclosed injury
- OUT: Tesho Akindele (F) - undisclosed injury
- OUT: Mauricio Pereyra (M) - undisclosed injury
- OUT: Benji Michel (M) - undisclosed injury
Suspended: None
Suspended after next caution: Joao Moutinho (D), Mauricio Pereyra (M), Rodrigo Schlegel (D)
International duty: Jhegson Sebastian Mendez (M), Pedro Gallese (HK)

New York City FC

NYCFC fell behind just three minutes after kickoff and appeared sluggish throughout a 2-1 defeat to the Revolution Sunday at Yankee Stadium. The loss snapped a three-match winning streak and was only NYCFC's second defeat in the last 11 games.

While he won't be in the lineup Wednesday night in Orlando, it appears the influential Maxi Moralez will be available for Week 19, according to coach Ronny Deila.

"Maxi has trained with us this week. I think he will be available for Sunday, not [Wednesday]," Deila told reporters in a video conference call Tuesday. "I think it's too early, we need to have him training more with the team. But he feels pretty good and looks pretty good as well, so we're happy about that."

Updated team roster
Injury Report:
- OUT: Maxi Moralez (M) - knee injury
- OUT: Gedion Zelalem (M) - knee injury
- OUT: Tayvon Gray (D) - undisclosed injury
- OUT: Heber (F) - ACL injury
Suspended: None
Suspended after next caution: Maxime Chanot (D), Valentin Castellanos (F)
International duty: None