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After a crushing stoppage time defeat at D.C. United back on August 12, Orlando City SC are staring in the face of a fourth Major League Soccer season without qualification for the MLS Cup Playoffs.
While it’s still mathematically possible to reach the post-season, this was a game James O’Connor‘s men really needed to win. Following a week off, the Lions now face Eastern Conference leaders Atlanta United.
A side we love to loathe, unfortunately there has been much to admire about the way in which Tata Martino’s men have swept aside nearly everybody in their path so far this 2018 MLS season.
Currently top of the Eastern Conference standings with 51 points from 25 games played, The Five Stripes have a talent stacked roster but it’s been Josef Martínez’s all-time record tying 27 goals that have kept the Georgia-based side out in front.
With Atlanta United being the last side that Orlando City SC would want to face in their current rut, it’s all about putting in maximum effort in the games that remain and seeing where it takes us.
In many ways, this current Orlando City SC roster are playing for their futures right now. Aside from Shane O’Neill who arrived just prior to James O’Connor’s appointment, every squad member was signed under the watch of Adrian Heath or Jason Kreis.
It will be up to the players themselves to prove that they deserve to remain in Central Florida by the time 2019 comes around.
Despite our playoff qualification hopes looking in tatters, James O’Connor and his team must maintain the utmost professionalism as we look to close out the 2018 season in the most positive way possible.
That will be extremely difficult should we not clean up our defensive act however.
On course to end on 80 goals conceded which would obliterate the previous MLS record of 70 set by Minnesota United last season, Orlando City SC recently relocated practice to the IMG Academy in Bradenton seeking fitness improvements.
A big source of frustration among Orlando City SC supporters, we don’t need reminding that Atlanta United remain undefeated against the Lions in MLS so this should prove the team’s motivation ahead of this grudge match.
2017/18 head-to-head stats
A defeat taking place in the middle of our current slump of 15 consecutive MLS fixtures with just a single victory, our most recent visit to Mercedes-Benz Stadium was difficult to watch.
A real tough ask on paper, there was no upsetting the form guide with Atlanta United’s attackers in imperious form as goals from Josef Martínez, Miguel Almirón (x2) and Ezequiel Barco comprehensively settled this Georgia versus Florida match-up.
Atlanta United 4 Orlando City SC 0 – Highlights – June 30, 2018 (Credit: Atlanta United FC)
Not one victory over Atlanta United in Major League Soccer to date!
That should prove James O’Connor and the team’s motivation heading into this fixture with Lions supporters craving a win over Atlanta United who let’s say haven’t been shy in aiming digs at the Lions since entering MLS.
Winning both 2018 head-to-heads so far, let’s hope it’s third time lucky for Orlando City SC who put in a fantastic second-half performance against The Five Stripes back in May, only to narrowly lose out 1-2 at Orlando City Stadium.
Orlando City SC 1 Atlanta United 2 – Highlights – May 13, 2018 (Credit: Atlanta United FC)
Orlando City SC supporters loathe him but there’s no doubting that Josef Martínez is a class act.
Now the joint all-time leading goalscorer in Major League Soccer history, the Venezuela international forward has been a revelation for Atlanta United since initially signing on loan from Torino back in February 2017.
Scoring FIVE goals against Orlando City SC in the last THREE head-to-heads, the bold striker will yet again take some stopping here.
Orlando City SC form
It’s a brutal stat and one that Orlando City SC desperately need to start improving as soon as possible.
The way in which we threw away the game at D.C. United was heartbreaking and there’s been too many disappointing moments like that so far this 2018 Major League Soccer season.
Aside from our 2-1 victory over Toronto FC in James O’Connor‘s first home game in charge of the Lions, we’ve been winless in THIRTEEN other MLS fixtures from May 13 onwards.
Atlanta United form
It’s a remarkable record and one that Orlando City SC could only dream of in our current predicament.
Only tasting defeat TWICE on the road so far this season, only Texan sides Houston Dynamo (4-0) and FC Dallas (3-2) have managed to get the better of Atlanta United with all three points against Tata Martino’s men.
FC Dallas 3 Atlanta United 2 – Highlights – July 4, 2018 (Credit: FC Dallas)