Pareja not trying to 'interfere' with Orlando's dynamic ahead of first conference final

Oscar Pareja says he will not "interfere" with Orlando City's energy ahead of their meeting with the New York Red Bulls in the Eastern Conference final.

Orlando will play in the conference final for the first time after edging to a 1-0 victory over Atlanta United in the semifinals last Saturday.

Their impressive defensive record has carried them through the playoffs so far, with a penalty shootout defeat their only blot during the playoffs so far.

With just one game standing between them and the MLS Cup final, Pareja is confident his team have all the motivation they need to come out on top at Inter & Co Stadium on Saturday.

"We have tried this week to stay concentrated on our responsibility and the opportunity that we have," Pareja told reporters.

"We're very proud that the group has achieved this for the club and fans, but we're eager to go for much more than that. The boys are ready, so I try not to interfere too much.

"We don't need to do anything different. It's the most important [game], but I hope I can say this after the next game when there's another one that's more important.

The stage is set pic.twitter.com/kQMvOIlavD

— New York Red Bulls (@NewYorkRedBulls) November 24, 2024

Meanwhile, New York are playing their sixth conference final after beating local rivals New York City FC 2-0 in the semifinals last week.

The Red Bulls came from behind after losing their first playoff game to Columbus Crew at home, but they have impressed on the road, winning both games so far.

Head coach Sandro Schwarz is expecting a tough test in Orlando and is keen to cut out some of the sloppiness he has seen during the postseason.

"We have to play more clean, like the first half against NYCFC, to not think too much about the big moments," he said.

"We have to play with a more clear direction to the goal with our transition moments. That's necessary.

"We know about the quality of Orlando, and we need the same intensity and behaviour in our pressing to be strong."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Orlando City – Ramiro Enrique

Ramiro Enrique scored the lone goal in Orlando's win over Atlanta United in the conference semifinals, his ninth goal overall this season, all since the beginning of July.

Enrique and Facundo Torres (11 goals) are two of just 11 players with nine or more goals since the start of July (regular season & playoffs).

New York Red Bulls – Dante Vanzeir

Dante Vanzeir orchestrated the Red Bulls' win over rivals NYCFC in the conference semifinals, assisting Felipe Carballo's opener before scoring the second.

He has assisted 10 goals in MLS this season, more than any other player on the team.

This defense has been on FIRE After 6 hours of playoff soccer we have conceded just 1 goal pic.twitter.com/g5uust5Sq0

— Orlando City SC (@OrlandoCitySC) November 27, 2024

MATCH PREDICTION: ORLANDO CITY WIN

This will be the first-ever playoff meeting between Orlando City and the Red Bulls.

Orlando have reached the conference final for the first time in the team's history after allowing just one total goal through their first four matches of the 2024 postseason. They are the fifth team in MLS history to allow just one goal over a span of four matches in a single postseason.

New York defeated Orlando 1-0 at home on June 1 to end a four-match losing streak against the Lions in all competitions.

The Red Bulls have reached the conference final for the sixth time in club history and the first since 2018. New York lost all five previous times they reached the Eastern Conference Final, with their only MLS Cup Final appearance coming in 2008 as Western Conference Champions.

The Red Bulls have won back-to-back road playoff games to reach the conference final, the third time they have won consecutive road games in a single postseason (2008, 2017). The only team to win three straight road games within a single postseason was the Chicago Fire in 1998.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Orlando City – 52.2%

Draw – 24.4%

New York Red Bulls – 23.4%