Orlando City vs. New England Revoluation Prediction, Preview and Odds - 10/24/21
It has been a long time coming, but New England finally has a chance to tie the regular-season points record in the MLS on Sunday. The Revolution are three points shy of the all-time record set by LAFC in 2019. Orlando City has a chance to maintain or improve its spot high in the Eastern Conference table.
New England is elite
New England has not lost a match since the end of August, entering this contest on an eight-game unbeaten streak. The Revolution have recorded six wins and two draws over that stretch, rocketing towards the single-season points record in the MLS. They are 20 points clear of Nashville at the top of the Eastern Conference table with a 21-6-4 record. Their chance to tie the record held by LAFC comes on Sunday, as a win would give them the three points they need. New England has now won its last four road matches, so it will enter this match with plenty of confidence.
The Revolution were on the road earlier this week, recording a 3-2 win at D.C. United on Wednesday. D.C. United took the lead six minutes after halftime, but New England would answer with three consecutive goals. Adam Buksa, Carles Gil and Gustavo Bou all found the back of the net for the Revolution. D.C. United did some damage control with a goal in stoppage time, but it was not enough to worry the Eastern Conference leaders. A win on Sunday would move coach Bruce Arena into a tie with Sigi Schmid for the most all-time in the regular season among MLS coaches.
Orlando is on a solid run
Orlando City SC will be hoping to make New England wait one more match to tie the single-season points record. All of the focus will be on the visitors, but Orlando is in the midst of a solid campaign of its own. It has gone unbeaten in four matches since a 2-1 loss at New England on Sept. 25. That stretch has included draws against Nashville and Montreal and wins over Cincinnati and D.C. United. Orlando’s most recent contest came against Montreal on Wednesday. Christopher Mueller got his team on the board first with a goal in the final minute of the first half, but Montreal scored an equalizer six minutes after halftime.
Orlando dominated the first half, out-shooting Montreal 8-0. The final stats were similar, as Orlando out-shot its opponent 13-6. Coach Oscar Pareja has seen his team bounce back after losing four consecutive matches last month. The Lions only allowed two goals in their first six matches this year and they have been able to rediscover that form of late. They have conceded just two goals in their last three matches. Orlando is currently in fourth place in the Eastern Conference, entering Saturday’s action with a three-point cushion over fifth-place Atlanta. The Lions are tied with third-place Philadelphia in the points column.
Spread (New England +205)
I am going to take New England at anything longer than 2/1 odds anytime I get the chance. The Revolution have won four consecutive road matches and have a chance to tie the regular-season points record on Sunday. They have already locked up the top spot in the Eastern Conference,
but I do not expect motivation to be a concern. New England has already won 17 matches by one goal this season, so I am comfortable backing the Revs in what should be a low-scoring contest.
Total (Under 3)
Orlando City’s best chance to win this match is to keep it low scoring. The Lions have started to find their old form defensively, allowing just two goals in their last three matches. They have also not faced more than three shots on target in any of those contests. New England has been rock-solid defensively this year, giving up just 38 goals in 31 matches. The Revolution are going to be motivated to tie the regular-season points record on Sunday. They notched a 2-1 win over Orlando last month and I expect a similar result this time around.
Teaser
New England can tie the regular-season points record with a win at Orlando City on Sunday.