After a morale boosting 3-1 win against Nashville SC, Oscar Pareja‘s Orlando City SC have no time to rest with a trip to Atlanta United on Saturday.
City travel to Mercedes-Benz Stadium looking for a first ever MLS victory over The Five Stripes at the ninth attempt. But lots has changed since the rivals’ last meeting.
With Stephen Glass currently interim head coach, Atlanta United are picking up the pieces following a horrendous #MLSisBack Tournament.
Exiting the bubble with zero points and zero goals scored, the axe fell on Frank de Boer’s two-year reign back on July 24.
Contrastingly, Oscar Pareja‘s reborn Orlando City SC were remarkably blazing their way to the tournament final against all odds.
But it’s time City supporters let those nostalgic memories go. After all, the serious business of Eastern Conference points is currently on the line.
Ultimately, the fact that Orlando City SC have never defeated Atlanta United haunts Lions supporters everywhere.
Going close in recent head-to-heads, it still hasn’t been enough against a side that always bring their A-game against City.
But with Oscar Pareja injecting new life into a failing franchise, perhaps 2020 is the year Orlando City SC can finally conquer their Atlanta United demons?
After all, Daryl Dike is a man in form. On Wednesday, the 20-year-old set an MLS rookie record with three goals in his first two career starts.
The man of the match against Nashville SC, Orlando City SC rallied well to win 3-1 after a slow start.
On Wednesday night, Atlanta United’s game at Inter Miami was postponed. This was a display of solidarity in the ongoing Black Lives Matter movement.
With The Five Stripes rested and City fresh off a midweek win, we’ll soon see what was more advantageous, performance-wise.
Atlanta United vs Orlando City SC – 2017/19 head-to-head stats
Last facing Atlanta United just over a year ago, a 0-1 home defeat ultimately crushed Orlando City SC‘s spirit heading into the final six games.
Probably City’s most convincing performance against The Five Stripes to date, James O’Connor‘s Lions did everything but score in this one.
With an advanced Carlos Ascues frustratingly wasting multiple opportunities, this defeat was very difficult to take.
Especially considering Atlanta United had eliminated City from the 2019 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup semi-finals, only 17 days earlier, also at Exploria Stadium.
To make matters worse, the only goal came from the Lions’ nemesis Josef Martínez on a landmark night.
The Venezuelan’s 28th goal of the season, this strike broke the MLS single-season scoring record of 27.
Orlando City SC 0 Atlanta United 1 – Highlights – August 23, 2020 (Credit: Atlanta United FC)
We know you’re sick of seeing this and we are too!
Now into the fourth year of this game series, Orlando City SC still await their first ever victory against Atlanta United.
A completely lopsided rivalry so far, Atlanta United have absolutely dominated to the scorn of Lions supporters everywhere.
Heading into this latest clash at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, we know two things.
Firstly, Josef Martínez won’t play a part as he’s still recovering from his long-term injury.
Secondly, Atlanta United aren’t in as slick shape as usual. With Scotsman Stephen Glass currently in interim charge after Frank de Boer’s dismissal, they’ve been underwhelming this year.
Exiting the #MLSisBack Tournament with zero wins and zero goals scored, they did respond by recently beating Nashville SC 2-0.
Every stat related to this rivalry fixture is depressing from an Orlando City SC perspective.
Not only have Atlanta United dominated the game series, City have barely laid a glove on The Five Stripes scoring wise.
Indeed, Orlando City SC have failed to score in FOUR of the last FIVE meetings (MLS and U.S. Open Cup).
The Lions’ last goal against Atlanta United came four meetings ago where Scott Sutter scored a stunner in a 1-2 home loss.
With key men Darlington Nagbe and Julian Gressel no longer around, not to mention Josef Martínez missing this game, perhaps Oscar Pareja‘s Orlando City SC can flip an all too familiar script.
Atlanta United form
Tacking on the end of 2019, Atlanta United have won SIX of their last SEVEN MLS fixtures at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
The only game they dropped in this run was that all-important Eastern Conference Final defeat to Toronto FC (1-2).
Perhaps the toughest stronghold in all of Major League Soccer, the good news is that The Five Stripes won’t be roared on by 70,000+ like before.
With COVID-19 restrictions preventing fans from returning, that is a huge shot in the arm for travelling teams.
Nevertheless, despite no home crowd, Atlanta United rallied to beat Nashville SC last time out on August 22.
Atlanta United 2 Nashville SC 0 – Highlights – August 22, 2020 (Credit: Nashville Soccer Club)
Orlando City SC form
Orlando City SC has been down multiple times so far this year. But the Lions aren’t panicking. In fact, they’re flourishing.
Rescuing losing positions in SIX of our NINE Major League Soccer fixtures this year, Oscar Pareja‘s side has shown great mental strength.
With Dave Romney giving Nashville SC an early 0-1 lead on Wednesday, it only took Chris Mueller six minutes to equalise.
Completely taking control of the game after that, we don’t need to be giving ourselves mountains to climb.
However, it’s good to know that heads aren’t dropping when the going gets tough.
Orlando City SC 3 Nashville SC 1 – Highlights – August 26, 2020 (Credit: Nashville Soccer Club)
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Don’t forget, Atlanta United vs Orlando City SC will be shown LIVE on Sky Sports Football on Saturday evening at 20:50 (GMT).
You can view our TV Fixture Tracker by clicking here.
GOOD NEWS 🚨 | @ATLUTD 🆚 @OrlandoCitySC is LIVE on @SkySports Football on Saturday evening. 👍🏽⚽️📺🇬🇧
A much more convenient time for our OCUK followers. 😁
VIEW TV TRACKER 📺: https://t.co/KV9JvpAA0o#ATLvORL #OrlandoCity #MLSUK pic.twitter.com/jo0mRjMFEX
— Orlando City UK (@Orlando_CityUK) August 27, 2020