Orlando City win streak on line in challenge from NYCFC
Orlando City FC will put their winning streak on the line against visiting New York City FC on Saturday in advance of the long break in MLS play for the All-Star Game and Leagues Cup action.
Orlando City (9-9-6, 33 points) have won four consecutive matches -- the longest current winning streak in the Eastern Conference. The latest win Wednesday was a 3-0 victory over Nashville SC from a team that hopes to separate itself from the playoff line. Orlando currently sits in seventh place in the conference.
"We continue to raise the level of what we have been (doing), and this team has never stopped working hard, even when the results weren't falling for us," Orlando City midfielder Cesar Araujo said. "We continue to work hard and really just continue to push as one group."
Forward Facundo Torres has three of Orlando's 13 team goals in the four-game winning streak. Those goals added to Torres' team-leading 13 goal contributions this season (eight goals, five assists).
Orlando needs the forward to continue his form with US youth international Duncan McGuire out on Olympic duty. McGuire has seven goals and two assists this season.
Orlando also announced a contract extension for Dagur Dan Thorhallsson on Friday. The 24-year-old midfielder re-signed through the 2026 season with an option for 2027.
New York City FC (11-9-4, 37 points) has an unbeaten streak of their own, with draws in the last two matches. NYCFC came from two goals down to earn a point against host Atlanta United on Wednesday.
After a difficult first half Wednesday, starting with an Atlanta goal 20 seconds into the match, two NYCFC goals in the final 25 minutes secured the point, keeping New York in fifth place in the Eastern Conference.
Matt Freese was behind the success. The New York goalkeeper has allowed just 29 goals this season in 24 games (all starts). He made seven saves against Atlanta, bringing Freese up to 95 saves on the season -- the fourth most in MLS.
"I think he's been the best goalkeeper across both conferences this season," Atlanta United manager Nick Cushing said.
Freese was the difference for the NYCFC back line, making six saves in a 4-2 home win over Orlando City on June 28. NYCFC scored three of their four goals in stoppage time.
--Field Level Media
