During the MLS labor negotiations, this game was pointed out as a reason why the owners might cave to some of the players’ demands. There haven’t been too many regular season spectacles like this one in the history of the league. On Sunday, on national TV and in a stadium packed with 61,000 people, two expansion franchises will debut.
Orlando City vs. NYCFC live stream: Time, TV schedule and how to watch online
Orlando City and New York City FC are both expecting playoff appearances in their debut season, and they’ll get to show off their stuff on national TV, in front of a sold-out Citrus Bowl.
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The spotlight will be on the two big-name designated players, Orlando City SC’s Kaka and New York City FC’s David Villa. They’re legitimately among the best players of their generation and two of the biggest stars of this millennium for their national teams. They’re also supplemented by new USMNT players, Brek Shea for Orlando and Mix Diskerud for NYCFC.
While NYCFC have designs on becoming the league’s glamour franchise, Orlando City appear to be better equipped for initial success. Unlike their visitors, they’ve had two seasons to build the foundation of an MLS team while playing in the third division, and they’ve retained a number of players from the team that won the 2013 USL Pro title and finished first in the regular season in 2014. NYCFC, meanwhile, look very much like an expansion team and are still waiting for Frank Lampard to show up.
Key player: Kaka (Orlando City)
He’ll be the key player in just about every game he plays, even if the 32-year-old isn’t quite the player he used to be. Based on his 2014 campaign with Sao Paulo, he still has quite a bit left in the tank, and Orlando City are going to surround him with active complimentary players that will allow him to do what he does best without putting too much strain on him. Orlando’s built their team around him, and intelligently so.
Key matchup: Chris Wingert vs. Kevin Molino
Molino was among the best players in the American lower divisions over the last couple of years, and he’s being given a chance to retain his spot with Orlando City in MLS. Those who have watched him frequently says he has what it takes to be a star in the top flight, and he’ll face Wingert, a USMNT-quality fullback with a decade of MLS experience behind him, in his first game.
Orlando City SC injuries and suspensions
Out: Tally Hall (knee), Martin Paterson (groin).
New York City FC injuries and suspensions
Out: None. In doubt: Ryan Meara (knee).
Match date/time: Sunday, 5 p.m. ET
Venue: Citrus Bowl, Orlando, Florida
TV: ESPN2 (U.S. - English), ESPN Deportes (U.S. - Spanish), Sky Sports 3 (U.K.)
Online: Watch ESPN (U.S.), MLS Live (Canada), Sky Go (U.K.)
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