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New York City FC at Orlando City SC: Facts & Figures

Training at Citrus Bowl

For the first time since 1998, a Major League Soccer expansion club plays their first-ever match against a fellow expansion side.


At 5 p.m. ET today, New York City FC kicks off against Orlando City SC in front of a sold-out crowd of 60,000 at the Citrus Bowl in Orlando, Fla. The match will be televised nationally on ESPN2 and broadcast on 970AM and WQBU 92.7 FM.


The last time two expansion clubs squared off in their inaugural MLS matches was when the Chicago Fire played the Miami Fusion on March 21, 1998. The Fire won the match 2-0, becoming the only expansion side to win their first-ever match on the road.


Here's how MLS clubs have faired in their inaugural matches:

<strong>DATE</strong>
<strong>EXPANSION CLUB</strong>
<strong>OPPONENT</strong>
<strong>VENUE</strong>
<strong>RESULT</strong>
3/15/98
Miami Fusion
D.C. United
Home
2-0 loss
3/21/98
Chicago Fire
Miami Fusion
Away
2-0 win
4/2/05
Real Salt Lake
New York Red Bulls
Away
0-0 draw
4/2/05
Chivas USA
D.C. United
Home
2-0 loss
4/2/06
Houston Dynamo
Colorado Rapids
Home
5-2 win
4/7/07
Toronto FC
Chivas USA
Away
2-0 loss
4/4/08
San Jose Earthquakes
Los Angeles Galaxy
Away
2-0 loss
3/20/09
Seattle Sounders
New York Red Bulls
Home
3-0 win
3/26/10
Philadelphia Union
Seattle Sounders
Away
2-0 loss
3/19/11
Vancouver Whitecaps
Toronto FC
Home
4-2 win
3/20/11
Portland Timbers
Colorado Rapids
Away
3-1 loss
3/10/12
Montreal Impact
Vancouver Whitecaps
Away
2-0 loss

Expansion sides are 4-7-1 in their MLS debut since 1998. Clubs playing their inaugural match at home are 3-2, but a perfect 3-0 since Houston's win in 2006.


Vancouver is the only expansion side to win their league debut in the last five years. Philadelphia Union (2010), Portland Timbers (2011) and Montreal Impact (2012) all lost their inaugural league match by two goals.


World Cup winners

New York City FC at Orlando City SC: Facts & Figures -

This afternoon's match features a pair of World Cup winners.

New York City FC forward David Villa hoisted the 2010 World Cup with Spain, while Orlando City SC midfielder Kaka won the trophy in 2002 with Brazil.


The duo join a select list of former World Cup winners to play in MLS:

<strong>PLAYER</strong>
<strong>WORLD CUP</strong>
<strong>MLS CLUB</strong>
<strong>DEBUT SEASON</strong>
<strong>APPEARANCES</strong>
<strong>MLS GOALS</strong>
Branco
Brazil (1994)
MetroStars
1997
11
1
Lothar Matthaus
West Germany (1990)
MetroStars
2000
16
0
Youri Djorkaeff
France (1998)
N.Y. Red Bulls
2005
40
10
Denilson
Brazil (2002)
FC Dallas
2007
8
1
Thierry Henry
France (1998)
N.Y. Red Bulls
2010
135
52
Alessandro Nesta
Italy (2006)
Montreal Impact
2012
31
0
Kleberson
Brazil (2002)
Philadelphia Union
2013
11
1