Embed from Getty Images
Following a disappointing 0-2 home loss to Toronto FC last weekend, James O’Connor‘s Orlando City SC must pick themselves up quickly for a huge trip to rivals Atlanta United.
Facing The Five Stripes for the first time this season, Orlando City SC‘s previous two MLS campaigns have fallen off a cliff in May so it’s vital we pick up a result for squad and supporter belief.
While some call it just another game, fixtures between the Lions and Atlanta United have extra spice due to the animosity and ill-feeling shared between both sets of supporters.
Whether this is a true Major League Soccer rivalry or not will take time but as far as the on-field action goes, Orlando City SC have failed to defeat the Georgia side in six attempts – an unbearable truth for Lions fans to bear.
Atlanta United can no longer call upon Miguel Almirón and the early signs have proved that dominating MLS won’t be as straightforward as some imagined under the new stewardship of Frank de Boer.
Taking five games to earn their first league win, The Five Stripes have been adjusting to the rigid methods of the Dutchman who thus far hasn’t managed to coax any solid form out of big name winter arrival Pity Martinez.
That said, Atlanta United appear to rediscovered their form in recent weeks arresting their slow start with three consecutive victories over Colorado Rapids (1-0), Sporting Kansas City (0-3) and Toronto FC (2-0).
Familiar foe – and goalscoring nemesis – Josef Martínez is still around and with a large Mercedes-Benz Stadium crowd behind them, Orlando City SC will need to be produce a very disciplined performance to stop what is still one of the most potent attacks in MLS.
With Atlanta United having taken part in midweek action against Toronto FC on Wednesday, hopefully James O’Connor‘s men can use their full week’s rest to their advantage.
In another footnote to this fixture, Orlando City SC villain Justin Meram secured a trade to Atlanta United on Tuesday and now joins Brek Shea and Mikey Ambrose upstate. Not in the matchday 18 in midweek, he could well figure on Sunday.
2017/18 head-to-head stats
Last facing each other in August 2018, Atlanta United secured a second successive 1-2 victory at Orlando City Stadium in a little over four months.
Begrudgingly, the night belonged to Josef Martínez who grabbed the headlines with not only the game winner but a record-breaking 28th strike of the season that confirmed him as the outright leading goalscorer in MLS history.
Confirming a three-game losing streak against Atlanta United in 2018 alone, Orlando City SC had previously rallied to cancel out Leandro González Pírez’s opener with a fine equaliser from Scott Sutter in the 39th minute.
Orlando City SC 1 Atlanta United 2 – Highlights – August 24, 2018 (Credit: Major League Soccer)
As we’re all too painfully aware, Atlanta United supporters are loving the fact they can laud a six-game unbeaten streak over Orlando City SC.
Only managing TWO draws against The Five Stripes thus far – both in Georgia during their inaugural season – the fact we haven’t managed a single victory as yet is only heightening feelings of resentment and loathing amongst the Orlando City SC faithful.
As impatience grows for a first league win over our upstate rivals, it’s important for James O’Connor’s side to not let emotions get the better of them inside a cavernous venue that is notoriously tough to earn referee calls.
Atlanta United 4 Orlando City SC 0 – Highlights – June 30, 2018 (Credit: Atlanta United FC)
Josef Martínez has, and will continue to score against most Major League Soccer sides but he thrives even more when playing against Orlando City SC.
Undoubtedly talented of which there’s no doubt, there is a real villain quality about Josef Martínez who’s arrogance and antagonistic qualities irritate those of an Orlando City SC persuasion.
Missing the first two head-to-heads between the rivals, the Venezuela international has scored in SIX goals over the past FOUR meetings, most notably bagging a hat-trick in September 2017’s thriller of a 3-3 draw at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Atlanta United 3 Orlando City SC 3 – Highlights – September 16, 2017 (Credit: Atlanta United FC)
Atlanta United form
In many ways, Orlando City SC appear to be facing Atlanta United at the wrong time.
With Frank de Boer’s side having finally hit their stride in recent weeks, The Five Stripes have secured three consecutive victories over Colorado Rapids (1-0), Sporting Kansas City (0-3) and Toronto FC (2-0).
Not only earning nine points from nine, the Georgia side have kept a clean sheet in all three games too.
Orlando City SC form
It’s a horrible stat when you read it but that’s the stark reality for Orlando City SC right now.
There’s no doubt the Lions have improved their road performances in 2019 with competitive displays at Chicago Fire, New York Red Bulls and New York City FC so far.
That said, having given up so many points at home already this season, worryingly 10 to Eastern Conference rivals, we are putting pressure on ourselves to turn one-point road hauls into three.
Whether James O’Connor’s side can do that at a tough venue like Mercedes-Benz Stadium remains to be seen but what an occasion to plot such a turnaround.
Don’t forget, Sky Sports Mix are showing LIVE coverage of Atlanta United versus Orlando City SC this Sunday evening.
GOOD NEWS 🙌🏽 | @OrlandoCitySC’s weekend fixture at rivals @ATLUTD will be shown LIVE on @SkySports Mix at 1️⃣9️⃣:3️⃣0️⃣ on Sunday! 📺👍🏽
That’s live 🦁’s action for the second week straight! 😁
SKY SPORTS TV TRACKER 📺: https://t.co/KV9JvpAA0o#ATLvORL #OCSC #MLS pic.twitter.com/OgNa0q340k
— Orlando City UK (@Orlando_CityUK) May 6, 2019