Orlando City seeks to snap losing streak against top-ranked New England Revolution

Orlando City faces its toughest matchup of the season on Saturday as the Lions attempt to snap the longest skid of Oscar Pareja’s tenure as head coach.

The Lions (10-7-8, 38), in the midst of a season-high three-game losing streak, will visit the top-ranked New England Revolution at 7 p.m..

New England only has four losses, winning six of its last eight matchups and running away with the Supporters’ Shield.

“We know that New England is having a great moment,” midfielder Mauricio Pereyra said. “They are leading the whole league. They are playing good soccer. They are the best team at the moment. … For us, this is just about confidence and belief. We have the potential to do it.”

The Revolution rose to their position by pummeling backlines, scoring 51 goals.

Gustavo Bou (12) and Adam Buksa (11) have combined for 23, and Tajon Buchanan has added seven.

While Bou and Buksa reap the rewards in the back of the net, the heart of the Revs’ attack lies in the midfield. MVP frontrunner Carles Gil has assisted 16 of New England’s goals, aided by an additional seven assists from Arnór Traustason.

Cutting off these two lines of production is the key to slowing the New England attack, but it’s a feat few teams have accomplished.

The Lions will defend against this high-octane offense without Antonio Carlos, the anchor of the backline. The centerback earned a red card in the dying minutes of last week’s loss to Philadelphia and is suspended.

Backup Rodrigo Schlegel is expected to step into the backline alongside Robin Jansson in Carlos’ absence. Schlegel and Jansson are sitting on their final yellow card before drawing an accumulation suspension.

“It’s not easy to replace any player that has been regularly in the lineup,” Pareja said. “What is important for us is that the player who is coming into the lineup can provide not just a different view but can bring some freshness, too.”

Winger Chris Mueller didn’t train this week because of a recurring injury and will be questionable for Saturday’s game.

Outside of Carlos and Mueller, the Lions are beginning to return a full roster to the pitch.

Captain Luis Nani and midfielder Andrés Perea will return from red-card suspensions. Midfielder Sebas Méndez also was cleared after missing a month with the team due to a deep bone bruise.

Daryl Dike is continuing to work to 90-minute performances after returning last month from unspecified tendinitis and a shoulder injury.

By league rule, teams aren’t required to disclose specifics about injuries.

With this revitalized lineup, the Lions are aiming to kick-start their offense after two games without a goal from an attacking player.

Pereyra noted the Revolution often leave their defense vulnerable to accommodate their offense. The team has allowed 32 goals, the second-highest amount of any Eastern Conference team in playoff position.

The Lions might not be able to guarantee a shutout, but Pereyra said he’s confident the offense can counter effectively enough to earn a point on the road.

With nine games left in the regular season, this match is vitalfor Orlando City as it chases a second straight playoff berth.

“We want to peak at that time where we need to,” midfielder Raul Aguilera said. “Teams peaking right now, good for them, but where it’s important is playoff time. I think we’re gonna be ready for that.”

This article first appeared on OrlandoSentinel.com. Email Julia Poe at jpoe@orlandosentinel.com.