A battle of two Eastern Conference clubs sitting on the opposite sides of the standings will happen on Friday when the New York Red Bulls host Orlando City SC.
The Red Bulls became the first club in Major League Soccer (MLS) to secure a playoff berth this season and are looking to have momentum heading to the playoffs when they face the Lions.
New York is coming off a 2–0 victory over the Portland Timbers last Sunday, following a tough 2–1 loss to New England Revolution.
The win helped the Red Bulls reclaim the top spot in the East and tie Western Conference leaders Vancouver Whitecaps FC in the Supporters' Shield standings with 48 points.
A victory will be huge for the Red Bulls since it would give them 51 points, enough to solidify their grasp of the top spot in the East since they are currently just a point ahead of second placed Columbus Crew SC (47 points).
It would also put them a game ahead of the Caps for the number one spot in the Supporters' Shield standings.
But aiming to spoil the party for the Red Bulls is Orlando City who is riding a two-match winning streak heading to Friday's matchup.
The Lions first defeated Sporting Kansas City (3–1) to end a six-match winless streak then the Chicago Fire (1–0) in their last MLS outing.
Unlike the Red Bulls, Orlando City is continually fighting for a playoff spot with the club currently on the seventh place in the East with 35 points.
The Lions are four points behind Montreal Impact who are sitting on the last playoff spot in the conference with 39 points.
If the Lions win on Friday, they would have 38 points, inching them closer to the sixth place in the East. It would also give them a lot of momentum especially since they are on a campaign trying to keep their playoff hopes alive.
The match between the New York Red Bulls and Orlando City SC will be on Friday, Sept. 25, at 7 p.m. EST. To watch via live stream, click here.
