Strap in folks because this is the one we’ve all been waiting for – a simply massive 2019 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup semi-final against none other than rivals Atlanta United.
Just the sheer mention of the tie sends adrenaline rushing through the veins in a fixture that is Orlando City SC‘s biggest since becoming a Major League Soccer franchise back in 2015.
Fighting for the right to reach a first ever Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Final and the chance to lift silverware for the first time in five years with subsequent qualification to the CONCACAF Champions League, this opportunity is huge.
In charge of keeping everybody’s emotions in check and the players’ feet on the ground is James O’Connor who will be just as desperate as every single Orlando City SC supporter to earn a first ever victory over a side we love to despise.
Every Orlando City SC fan is all too painfully aware of the sheer dominance Atlanta United have enjoyed over the Lions four-and-a-bit years into this fractious Georgia-Florida rivalry.
With relations between both sides’ Front Offices and supporters raised through the roof following The Five Stripes’ audacious billboard raised in downtown Orlando in July 2017, their attempts to stoke an MLS Derby of the South have definitely succeeded in the time elapsed.
Five losses and two draws later and there is pure hatred from City supporters towards the cocksure 2018 MLS Cup champions who Orlando City SC are so desperate to knock off their perch.
This game is a fantastic opportunity to do just that with Orlando City SC‘s rousing 5-4 penalty shootout triumph over New York City FC still fresh in Lions supporters’ minds following Adam Grinwis‘ heroics.
Successfully negotiating that quarter final thanks to help from City supporters in what’s now known as “The Running of The Wall”, the phrase used to describe fans flocking to populate the Church Street end of Exploria Stadium for the penalty shootout, that same energy and never-say-die spirit will be needed in abundance here.
With ticket prices reduced for this U.S. Open Cup semi-final, it is every Orlando City SC supporters’ duty to turn up, roar the boys on and give them the best possible opportunity of reaching a first-ever cup final in the MLS era.
As if there wasn’t enough ill-feeling between the sides, Orlando City SC public enemy number one Justin Meram should return to Exploria Stadium for the first time since the flop left Central Florida in August 2018.
2015/19 head-to-head stats
Did we have regrets from this game? Yes! Was it a game we should’ve at least earned a point from? Definitely!
While some were fearing Orlando City SC would be on the end of a hiding at Mercedes-Benz Stadium back in May, James O’Connor‘s side did themselves proud to put in a gritty, stifling performance despite losing 1-0.
An altogether frustrating afternoon in Georgia, Dom Dwyer missed a pivotal chance in the game as Pity Martínez’s first ever strike for The Five Stripes separated the rivals at full-time.
The Lions’ fifth league defeat to Atlanta United in a little under one year and ten months, City supporters were left wondering how a much better performance could still result in a loss to the same opposition.
Atlanta United 1 Orlando City SC 0 – Highlights – May 12, 2019 (Credit: Atlanta United FC)
Yeah, about this.
Let’s move on…
To Orlando City SC supporters, nobody sums up the ballsy, cocksure arrogance of the Atlanta United franchise better than golden boy Josef Martínez.
Undoubtedly a huge talent to which we reluctantly admit, the pantomime villain simply loves rising to the occasion against Orlando City SC.
With SIX goals in FIVE Major League Soccer appearances against City, the flamboyant Venezuelan international completed the enviable stat of scoring against every single MLS opponent with his two goals against Houston Dynamo (5-0) on July 17.
Orlando City SC 1 Atlanta United 2 – Highlights – August 24, 2018 (Credit: Major League Soccer)
Orlando City SC form
In both the round of last 16 and quarter-final stages, James O’Connor‘s Orlando City SC put in monumental efforts to navigate their way to a first ever Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup semi-final.
Requiring extra-time to get past New England Revolution (2-1 A.E.T.) and New York City FC (1-1 A.E.T. – 5-4 on penalties), most impressive was the fact these games fell right in the midst of an overcrowded mid-season.
With Orlando City SC playing every three to four days over the past month or so, the Lions’ roster dug incredibly deep to hold their nerve in the last two rounds to set up this mouthwatering semi-final.
Orlando City SC 1 New York City FC 1 (A.E.T) 5-4 on penalties – Highlights – July 10, 2019 (Credit: Major League Soccer)
Atlanta United form
While Josef Martínez is used to stealing the headlines for Atlanta United, striking compatriot Brandon Vazquez has also been making a name for himself this season.
The 20-year-old Californian has certainly been enjoying the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup this term with Vazquez scoring FOUR goals in THREE appearances so far.
Brandon Vazquez registered braces against Charleston Battery and Columbus Crew in the fourth round and round of last 16 respectively.
This cup form has been offering Frank de Boer plenty of food for thought as Vazquez battles Ezequiel Barco, Justin Meram, Dion Pereira, Hector Villalba and either Martínez for a place on The Five Stripes’ frontline.