NYCFC vs Orlando City SC preview: The 2025 home opener and 10th anniversary | OneFootball

After a tough road trip to begin the 2025 Major League Soccer season, New York City FC will find themselves at Yankee Stadium for the home opener.  This will also be the 10th anniversary celebration, for the Pigeons have played ten full years in the league and have begun their 11th season.

NYCFC will welcome their fellow 2015 expansion side, Orlando City SC, for the opener in what should be an exciting match.  It might not be the Hudson River Derby, but there is somewhat of a rivalry between the two.  So far in the short season, the visitors have the edge where they have won a game and lost one compared to the Bronx team’s one draw and a loss.

Nevertheless, NYCFC must put those games in the past.  Pascal Jansen must ensure that his team has a stronger performance and is more threatening in the final third than the Los Angeles FC fixture.  At the same time, the players must step up.  Fans want to leave the anniversary celebrations happy, and only a win will do.

So, without further ado, here is a preview of the home opener between NYCFC and Orlando City.

NYCFC vs Orlando City SC preview

Date

NYCFC and Orlando City will face off on Saturday, March 8.

Time

The game is at 7:30 PM ET.

Location

The fixture will be at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx, New York.

How to watch

Supporters can watch the game on Apple TV via the MLS Season Pass.

Weather

It will not be the most ideal weather for the home opener.  It will be cold and windy, but at least it will be a clear evening.  When the game begins, it will be about 38 degrees.  The wind will make it feel colder though, with a feels-like temperature of 29 degrees.  In other words, every fan that attends the game must dress warm.

Injury report

Three players are unavailable for Saturday’s match: Tayvon Gray (leg), Malachi Jones (leg), and Andrés Perea (hip) are all out.

Players to watch

NYCFC supporters should watch Maxi Moralez in the home opener.  Throughout the preseason and the first two games, the Argentine continues to show he can play at a high level at 38.  Plus, the team performed better when he was on the pitch compared to when he was not.  The Pigeons will need him, and ideally, he will contribute in some way.  More importantly, Jansen should let him play the whole game.  Everyone should watch to see whether Moralez comes out early again.

On Orlando, fans should watch the Florida side’s newest player, Marco Pašalić.  The German-born Croatian international is a talented winger and already scored his first two MLS goals during Orlando’s loss to the Philadelphia Union.  His experience in Europe, including his time with Borussia Dortmund II and HNK Rijeka should help the Designated Player with his play in MLS.  He could easily be a major threat for the Boys in Blue.

This is the home opener and the 10th anniversary celebration.  As such, it is time to be positive with the prediction.  NYCFC will play their best game in this young season and win 3-1 against Orlando.  An early goal will set the pace of play for the evening, while the backline mostly keeps the visitors at bay.