Orlando City, Kljestan look to end skid vs. Red Bulls (Mar 29, 2018)
Saddled with a winless streak that dates back to last season, Orlando City SC is eager to come away with its first win of the year, and Sacha Kljestan wants to be a part of it.
Kljestan and the Lions play host to the New York Red Bulls on Saturday afternoon.
Orlando City (0-2-1) returns to the pitch for the first time since a 2-0 loss to New York City FC on March 17. The Lions are ninth in the Eastern Conference, ahead of only the Chicago Fire and defending MLS Cup champion and Supporters' Shield winner Toronto FC.
The Red Bulls (2-1-0), currently third in the East, bounced back from a shutout loss at Real Salt Lake on St. Patrick's Day with a 3-0 rout of Minnesota United FC on Saturday at home.
"We've had a long time to be focused on our opponent and put everything into this game that we can," Orlando head coach Jason Kreis said.
New York coach Jesse Marsch expects the Lions -- winless in six straight -- to battle.
"We know that it is a tough place to play and they are a quality team with quality players and we have to make sure we go down there and have a clear idea as to what we what the game to look like," he said.
Kljestan might have had this day circled on his calendar as he will face his former team for the first time since being traded in January. In three seasons with the Red Bulls, the California native totaled 51 assists, leading the league with 20 in 2016 and 17 last year.
"I want to get our first win and even better it can come against my former team," said Kljestan, who noted that he still has many good relationships with his former teammates. "You always want to win against your friends and brothers."
He also provided an insider's view on what Orlando should expect.
"A lot of pressure, a lot of turnovers, a lot of transition opportunities," Kljestan said. "We've got to be good with the ball and then be good at tracking back when we do turn over the ball because they're going to want to counter fast."
Plus, the Lions will have to contend with Bradley Wright-Phillips, who was named the league's Player of the Week on Tuesday after scoring twice against Minnesota. A two-time winner of the league's Golden Boot Award, Wright-Phillips' 88 goals in MLS since 2014 are the most in any five-year span in league history.
"At all times, we got to know where Bradley is. Really not give him any chances because when he gets a few chances, he really buries them," Kljestan said.
The Red Bulls' Luis Robles hasn't allowed a goal in 176 minutes -- the second-longest current streak. He's surrendered one goal through three league matches this year.
The teams split two games played in Northern New Jersey in 2017 with each winning at home.
