Orlando City and New York Red Bulls kick off their 2026 MLS campaigns in a fixture laced with intrigue and history.
The stage is Exploria Stadium, where Orlando will look to build on a potent attack from last season, while the Red Bulls aim to tighten their grip defensively and flip the narrative in a rivalry that has seen both sides claim the upper hand. As these Eastern Conference foes renew hostilities, both teams are eager to set the tone for the new year after Orlando finished just ahead of RBNY in the 2025 standings. With recent head-to-head clashes razor-tight and no clear dominance, expect a fiercely contested opener that could signal which side is set for a brighter season ahead.
Best Bets & Predictions
Based on the attacking strengths of Orlando City and the defensive resilience of New York Red Bulls in 2025, here are our top betting recommendations for this Eastern Conference clash. We’re particularly confident in Orlando City to win, given their superior goal output and home advantage.
| Our Prediction | Odds & Sportsbook | Confidence | Why We’re Backing It |
|---|---|---|---|
| Orlando City SC to Win | -110 @ Bet365 (52.4%) | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Backing Orlando for their 41% win rate and 16 more goals than New York RB last season. |
| Both Teams to Score – Yes | +105 @ Bet365 (48.8%) | ⭐⭐⭐ | Value here due to both teams averaging over 1.4 goals per game and recent H2H trends. |
| Over 2.5 Goals | +120 @ Bet365 (45.5%) | ⭐⭐⭐ | Strong trend shows Orlando City SC games averaged 3.4 goals in 2025. |
Our approach: Start with Orlando City to win, add Both Teams to Score for parlay potential.
Odds correct at the time of writing.
Season Form & Standings
Orlando City and New York Red Bulls both competed in the 2025 MLS Eastern Conference, with Orlando finishing ninth and Red Bulls 10th in the regular season standings. Orlando made the Playoffs, securing a top-nine finish with a strong attack, while RBNY missed out despite a resilient defense. The following table summarizes the final regular-season positions for both teams.
2025 MLS Eastern Conference Standings
| Team | Pos | GP | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Orlando City SC | 9 | 34 | 14 | 11 | 9 | 63 | 51 | +12 | 53 |
| New York Red Bulls | 10 | 34 | 12 | 7 | 15 | 48 | 47 | +1 | 43 |
Potential Match-Winners
Keep an eye on these players, who could tip the scales in their team’s favor (all stats from the 2025 MLS regular season):
- Martín Ojeda (Orlando City SC): Averaged 2.1 key passes and 1.8 shots per 90, making him a creative spark in attack.
- Tyrese Spicer (Orlando City SC): Chipped in with 1.5 dribbles completed and 0.4 goals per 90, offering pace and directness.
- Eric Choupo-Moting (New York Red Bulls): Scored 17 goals in 33 appearances and led the line with a team-high 62 aerial duels won.
- Emil Forsberg (New York Red Bulls): Provided 1.6 key passes per 90 and led the team in chances created from midfield.
Head-to-Head: Last 5 Meetings
Recent meetings between Orlando City and New York Red Bulls have been tightly contested, with neither side able to establish clear dominance. Here are the results from their five most recent encounters:
| Date | Score | Competition |
|---|---|---|
| Apr 12, 2025 | Orlando City SC 0-0 New York Red Bulls | MLS |
| Mar 15, 2025 | New York Red Bulls 2-2 Orlando City SC | MLS |
| Dec 1, 2024 | Orlando City SC 0-1 New York Red Bulls | MLS |
| Jun 2, 2024 | New York Red Bulls 1-0 Orlando City SC | MLS |
| Mar 30, 2024 | Orlando City SC 0-0 New York Red Bulls | MLS |
Orlando City vs New York Red Bulls Prediction
Will Orlando City’s home advantage and attacking power be enough to overcome the New York Red Bulls’ defensive discipline? With both sides looking to start 2026 on the front foot, all eyes are on Exploria Stadium for a clash that could set the early tone in the East. Our top selection is Orlando City to win at -110 (52.4%) with Bet365—a price that looks fair given the Lions’ 2025 offensive edge and strong home record.
Odds correct at the time of writing. Please gamble responsibly.
More MLS stats and standings: MLS standings 2026 | Top scorers | Assist leaders | Full MLS stats hub