After a banner off-season and a bit of a roster reset, Orlando City is ready to officially start their longest MLS season to date.

The match against the New York Red Bulls will kick off at 7:30 on the new MLS Season Pass, a part of Apple TV+. The match, as well as all league matches this weekend, will be free to stream for anyone that has not signed up for the Season Pass.

“At this point of the season where we have spent quite a few weeks preparing, we feel optimistic and our feelings are positive,” Head Coach Oscar Pareja said on Thursday, “We’re good, the boys have been training hard with some challenges that we have through the processes, like every team in Major League Soccer has, but at this point, we’re just ready to go and compete. That’s what we’re waiting for.” 

The Red Bulls (15-11-8, 51 points last season) are coming into this year without longtime centerback and captain Aaron Long, who joined LAFC in the off-season. They managed to bring in Jamaican National Team forward Cory Burke signed with the team from the Union.

Orlando (14-14-6, 48 points last season) has their new DP Martin Ojeda ready to go in the attack, plus a healthy Gaston Gonzalez, who missed last year with a torn ACL. Both players, who are under 24 years old, will be key pieces in the attack for the Lions.

[2023 Orlando City Season Preview]

Notebook

For this upcoming match, three players are listed as questionable, including starting centerback Antonio Carlos. Carlos, who was a late arrival to preseason, is unlikely to play due to a “right lower leg” injury, according to the club. Both Jack Lynn and Favian Loyola are also listed as questionable due to “left thigh” problems.

Gaston Gonzalez is also set to miss the match as he’s still out of the country sorting out his visa.