New York Red Bulls defender Noah Eile is eager to repay Sandro Schwarz's continued faith in him as they visit Orlando City in MLS on Saturday.

The Red Bulls have had an encouraging start to the season, currently sitting eighth in the Eastern Conference with 11 points from seven games.

Only two teams in the East – the Columbus Crew (five) and Inter Miami (six) – have conceded fewer goals than the Red Bulls (seven), with Elie playing every minute at the back.

The Swede, who played 27 games last season after arriving from Mjallby, told amNewYork: "I'm very grateful to him for the chance he's given me so far... he was a big reason why I came here in the first place.

"He's given me a lot of chances, and that makes me want to perform and play well even more because when someone gives you the chance, you have to take it."

The Red Bulls are currently without forward Lewis Morgan, who won the league's Comeback Player of the Season award in 2024 after scoring 13 goals.

Morgan underwent knee surgery four weeks ago, but Schwarz believes he will be back on the field by early May.

"He's making great progress now, he's very professional in his individual program every day, with the whole medical team," Schwarz said.

"I would say, when we are talking about the timetable, it could be the next two, three weeks, the beginning of May. I'm pretty sure then that he will be on the field then."

Opponents Orlando are only ahead of New York on goal difference, having followed up back-to-back victories with a goalless draw against the Philadelphia Union last week.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Orlando City – Martin Ojeda

Ojeda has contributed to at least one goal in each of his last four regular-season home matches (three goals, three assists).

His six goal contributions equal the most by any player in a span of four home matches in Orlando's club history (with four other players).

New York Red Bulls – Eric Choupo-Moting

Choupo-Moting scored his third goal of the season last week as the Red Bulls beat the Chicago Fire 2-1, equalling Emil Forsberg as New York's leading scorer this term.

This is just the second time in the last 10 seasons that two Red Bulls players scored three times in the team's first seven games of the year (Cristian Casseres Jr., Caden Clark in 2021).

MATCH PREDICTION: ORLANDO CITY WIN

The Red Bulls are unbeaten in their last four matches against Orlando City (W2 D2) including a 2-2 draw on March 15.

This will be the first meeting between the sides in Orlando since the Red Bulls won the Eastern Conference Final 1-0 last season.

However, New York have opened the season with just one point from their first three away matches.

Dating back to the end of last season, the Red Bulls have won one of their last 12 regular-season away matches (D5 L6).

And Orlando have gone unbeaten in four straight matches (W2 D2) after losing two of their first three this season. Given the Lions' upturn, they may fancy their chances at home.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Orlando City – 49.2%

New York Red Bulls – 25.3%

Draw – 25.3%