Orlando City coach Jason Kreis described the Lions’ opponent this weekend using a phrase that could apply to his own team: searching for an identity.

The New York Red Bulls (2-2-1, 7 points) have struggled in a new 4-2-2-2 lineup to replicate the form that helped them win the Supporters Shield in 2015 and top the Eastern Conference last year. After a 4-1 loss to the Houston Dynamo last week, Red Bulls coach Jesse Marsch told reporters it’s possible he will consider switching back to the 4-2-3-1 formation of previous years.

Orlando City (2-1-0, 6 points) similarly is working in a new formation this season, and while results have come at home, the work still needed was clear in last week’s 2-0 loss in Columbus.

Kreis is interested to see how his players respond to their first loss of the season and whether they can remain unbeaten with another clean sheet at home when they host the Red Bulls at 4 p.m. Sunday.

“From my point of view, it’s unimportant about who the opponent is and what sort of form they’re in,” Kreis said.

“I look at it as a fantastic opportunity, because [Columbus] was our first negative of the year to suffer a loss and now we have our first opportunity of the year to react and respond to that negativity. So, I’m really looking forward to how the guys handle that this weekend, and I’m unfazed by the opponent.”

He did talk a little about the Red Bulls’ current three-game winless streak, saying the losses mean nothing so early in the season and he’s prepared for a threatening team featuring the league’s reigning Golden Boot winner Bradley Wright-Phillips and assist leader Sacha Kljestan.

“I would say it’s a team I feel is playing really well, and hasn’t gotten probably the results they deserve,” Kreis said. “This is a fantastic opponent that plays very good soccer and is extremely dangerous, regardless of the results they’ve had the first four games of the year.”

Orlando City’s lineup is expected to look a bit different than it has the first three games of the year, with players back from injury and new signees fit and ready to contribute.

Right back Scott Sutter and defensive midfielder Cristian Higuita are two players who could contribute considerable minutes on Sunday based on how they looked in training during the past few days.

Centerback Tommy Redding also is likely to make his first start of the season in place of an injured José Aja.

The Lions have reiterated many times that they feel comfortable with any combination of players on the field and everyone knows how to operate within the system.

Midfielder Will Johnson said the same goes for their confidence facing the Red Bulls.

“We feel that we know their tendencies whether they’re in the 4-2-2 box or the 4-2-3-1,” Johnson said.

“We’re not overly concerned about that. We know they like to press in certain situations, so we’ll be aware of that. They execute very well in what they do no matter what formation they play, so it’s more about focus and understanding their identity as a club versus specific tactics that they may or may not try.

“We’re excited to get back out there and face a good team and test ourselves.”

They’re also excited to get back out in front of their home crowd, which has been credited with helping the Lions earn their first two shutout wins of the season.

ardelgallo@orlandosentinel.com