With just 13 games left in the regular season Orlando City (4-5-11, 23 points) lies just outside the current playoff picture—separated only by three points.
This weekend the team has a chance to jump above the black line
After a practice go round Wednesday night—against Stoke City –it will be this Sunday where Jason Kreis will make his debut in purple at Camping World Stadium--in a contest that counts.
The team hosts New England, a team that rests just above City in the current MLS Eastern Conference standings and if win can prove a major swinging point in the teams favor.
“Obviously we’ve had a lot of draws, some of them good draws and some of them were disappointing draws so now it’s time to start winning,” defender Luke Boden said after practice Friday afternoon.
“It’s a new era you can say with a new manager and everyone wants to impress and everyone wants to be in the team and you know we have to do that on Sunday and hopefully win the game.”
For Coach Kreis he’ll be appearing in front of the home crowd for the first time. He says he is keeping his expectations low—but is looking forward to the introduction.
“The fact that the crowds here are so fantastic, the fact that crowds are so rowdy to be on the other end of that as an opposing coach walking out you remember those things about the places you go,” Kreis said of his last visit to Orlando.
“It’s really rowdy –and I want to be a part of that. I want to be part of that community that celebrates this team.”
Now Kaka and Cyle Larin will rejoin the team this weekend after MLS All Star activities and will play in Sunday’s contest New England (6-7-8, 26 points).
Kickoff is set for 7:30 and will be televised on WRDQ TV27.