Orlando City host NYCFC at Orlando City Stadium on Saturday, October 24 (7:30 PM ET / 6:30 PM CT / 4:30 PM PT).
Martín Ezequiel Ojeda is the man Orlando City will build around in the final third — the attacking midfielder’s 15 goals and 36 chances created across 1,948 minutes make him the side’s primary creative outlet, with Antoine Griezmann (12 goals, 35 chances created) and the heavily-used Iván Darío Angulo Cortés — a defender dangerous from set pieces with 6 goals this season — both expected to feature. For NYCFC, Nicolás Ezequiel Fernández Mercau is the player this Orlando backline must track — the attacking midfielder has 15 goals and a team-high 62 chances created from 2,584 minutes, making him the away side’s clear creative focal point.
Orlando City arrive with 41 points and a -12 goal difference that still leaves them seventh in the Eastern Conference, while NYCFC sit 12th and have struggled to find consistency going forward. Expect goals at both ends — Ojeda and Griezmann give Orlando enough quality to break down a stretched NYCFC backline, while Mercau’s movement from midfield should still find space to trouble the home side — but a tighter finish and Orlando City’s superior firepower should be enough to see the hosts home 2-1.
Orlando City vs NYCFC: Best Bets & Predictions
Orlando City host NYCFC at Inter&Co Stadium with both sides fighting for position in the Eastern Conference playoff race.
Our approach: we blend squad quality, scoring data, home advantage and conference standing to arrive at our picks, rather than leaning on reputation alone.
Odds correct at time of writing and shown in American format for illustration; your local odds may vary. 19+ (18+ in AB/MB/QC). Please play responsibly. ConnexOntario: 1-866-531-2600 (ON).
Season Form & Standings
Orlando City sit seventh in the Eastern Conference with 41 points from 30 games, firmly in the playoff picture, while NYCFC are 12th in the East and need results like this to climb back into contention.
Eastern Conference
| Team | Pos | GP | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Orlando City | 7 | 30 | 12 | 5 | 13 | 58 | 70 | -12 | 41 |
Orlando City vs NYCFC Predicted Lineups
Predicted XI — updated for the latest team news.
Orlando City
4-2-3-1NYCFC
4-2-3-1Potential Match-Winners
- Martín Ezequiel Ojeda (Orlando City): The Orlando City attacking midfielder has 15 goals and 36 chances created in 1,948 minutes this season, making him this fixture’s most dangerous attacker.
- Antoine Griezmann (Orlando City): Antoine Griezmann has added 12 goals and 35 chances created in 1,240 minutes, giving Orlando City a second genuine goal threat through midfield.
- Nicolás Ezequiel Fernández Mercau (NYCFC): NYCFC’s Nicolás Ezequiel Fernández Mercau matches Ojeda’s goal tally with 15 of his own, built on a team-high 62 chances created and 43 shots on target.
Recent Form
Orlando City: L L W D W
- 2026-10-18: Orlando City 4-1 DC United (W, home)
- 2026-10-15: Toronto FC 3-3 Orlando City (D, away)
- 2026-10-11: Orlando City 3-2 Columbus Crew (W, home)
- 2026-09-27: Philadelphia Union 4-2 Orlando City (L, away)
- 2026-09-20: New England Revolution 4-2 Orlando City (L, away)
Orlando City head into this one on the back of a 4-1 win over DC United, following a 3-3 draw at Toronto FC and a 3-2 win over Columbus Crew, though back-to-back losses to New England Revolution and Philadelphia Union in September show the defensive frailties behind a -12 goal difference.
NYCFC: L D L L D
- 2026-10-18: NYCFC 1-1 LAFC (D, home)
- 2026-10-15: Inter Miami 2-0 NYCFC (L, away)
- 2026-10-10: Chicago Fire 2-1 NYCFC (L, away)
- 2026-09-27: Atlanta United 2-2 NYCFC (D, away)
- 2026-09-19: NYCFC 0-1 New York Red Bulls (L, home)
NYCFC were held 1-1 by LAFC last time out, having lost to Inter Miami and Chicago Fire either side of a 2-2 draw at Atlanta United and a 1-0 home defeat to the New York Red Bulls in September.
Orlando City vs NYCFC Prediction
Orlando City, seventh in the East and fighting to keep their playoff position secure, should have enough going forward through Ojeda and Griezmann to see off a NYCFC side sat 12th and short on confidence. Expect a tight, open contest that produces goals at both ends before Orlando City close it out. Final score: Orlando City 2-1 NYCFC.