Orlando City looks to continue its hot streak in Major League Soccer play when the Lions visit the New England Revolution on Saturday night.
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Orlando City, though, will likely face New England without injured star Antoine Griezmann. Griezmann left the Lions’ 2-1 loss to Columbus in a semifinal of U.S. Open Cup on Wednesday. Griezmann was forced out of the match in the second half and did not train with the team Friday.
The Lions (10-11-4, 34 points) will try for their fourth consecutive MLS win and run their unbeaten streak to six matches when they take on the Revolution (13-8-4, 43 points) at Gillette Stadium at 7:30 p.m. Orlando City is sixth in the Eastern Conference. New England is third.
“We just have to flip the page,” said Orlando City forward Justin Ellis. “Obviously, we were pretty sad about the Columbus game. I feel we could have played a lot better. We didn’t really play at our best level, but we have to flip the page. We have a tough game (Saturday), and we have to get three points.”
Ellis has been instrumental to Orlando’s climb up the table as the Lions have reversed their fortunes after a 1-5 start to the campaign. He has three goals and 11 assists in his breakthrough season. The 19-year-old also earned his first call-up to the U.S. Men’s National Team.
His potential debut with the USMNT could come next Saturday at Inter.co Stadium when the Americans face off against Peru in a friendly. For now, however, his primary focus is on helping Orlando City beat New England.
“It’s about just staying in the present, staying in the moment,” Ellis said. “I feel like that’s what I do a good job of, and just try and help the team win tomorrow, and then, after tomorrow, I can put my focus into the national team.”
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Ellis will be even more important Saturday with the expected absence of Griezmann. If Griezmann is unable to play, Ellis and Martín Ojeda (11 goals and an assist) will lead the attack against a stout New England defense that has only allowed 31 goals in 25 games.
The good news for Orlando is that New England has won only two of its last six home games this season. The Revolution will also be without the injured duo of Jack Harrison and Alhassan Yusuf. They still boast plenty of attacking talent in the likes of Carles Gil (10 goals, four assists) and Dor Turgeman (seven goals, five assists).
Additional, Matt Turner has been one of the best goalkeepers in MLS this season and ranks fourth, just ahead of Orlando City’s Maxime Crepeau, in saves, with 98 to Crepeau’s 96.
The Revolution had two players called up to the national team: midfielder Brooklyn Raines and defender Peyton Miller.
The sixth-place Lions need a win to stay securely in a playoff spot, as they are only four points clear of Red Bull New York in 10th. The gap between sixth and 12th is only five points, so there is little room for error with only nine league games remaining.
Orlando’s next match is on the road against the Philadelphia Union and 16-year-old sensation Cavan Sullivan on Sept. 26.
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