With memories of the 2020 MLS Cup Playoffs defeat to New England Revolution now faded, anticipation fills the air as Oscar Pareja‘s Orlando City SC kick off the 2021 Major League Soccer campaign.
Starting at home for a seventh consecutive season in MLS, the Lions face fierce Georgia rivals Atlanta United. This was after defying all expectations to finish fifth overall last season.
This year, Orlando City SC will look to maintain their newfound identity as soccer protagonists.
In under one full season in charge at Exploria Stadium, Oscar Pareja successfully turned around a losing culture.
Not only steering Orlando City SC to the MLS post-season for the very first time, the much-loved Colombian also led the Lions all the way to the #MLSisBack Tournament Final.
Now one of the most talked about Major League Soccer franchises in the country, only this time for good reasons, Orlando City SC look a strong outfit heading into 2021.
In the off-season, the Lions made eight permanent additions and one loan signing, the most eye-catching of which was Alexandre Pato.
Seemingly around forever, Pato is still just 31. The former Brazilian international will be motivated to prove he’s not set for retirement any time soon.
Also welcoming Brandon Austin and Silvester van der Water to Central Florida, the Orlando City SC Front Office will hope this year’s new arrivals emulate last year’s counterparts.
With Antônio Carlos, Daryl Dike, Pedro Gallese and Júnior Urso proving to be game-changing signings, existing talents like Chris Mueller and Mauricio Pereyra scaled new heights too.
While Orlando City SC took on 2020 with gusto, 2021 home opener opponents Atlanta United were uncharacteristically disastrous last season – to the glee of City fans!
Frank de Boer was sacked after crashing out of the #MLSisBack Tournament. After that, interim head coach Stephen Glass could only lead a Josef Martínez-less Five Stripes to a measly 23rd-placed overall finish.
Appointing Gabriel Heinze as head coach in December 2020, Atlanta United have plenty to prove this year. Not only to their supporters but themselves as well.
Orlando City SC vs Atlanta United – 2017/20 head-to-head stats
Probably one of the most enjoyable days as an Orlando City SC supporter so far, am I right?
The last time City faced Atlanta United, they laughed in the face of previous seasons, running out emphatic 4-1 winners.
Sure, Atlanta United supporters will claim Josef Martínez wasn’t there. However, Oscar Pareja‘s City side completely dismantled a poor Five Stripes side.
The rout started in the 29th minute as Daryl Dike stunned a Ruan cross before prodding it home beyond Brad Guzan.
After that, in first-half stoppage time, Chris Mueller curled in an inch-perfect free kick for a commanding 2-0 lead.
In the second-half, Tesho Akindele (60 minutes) and Matheus Aiás (90+2 minutes) added gloss to the scoreline with Erick Torres 87th minute strike only scant consolation.
Orlando City SC 4 Atlanta United 1 – Highlights – October 28, 2020 (Credit: Atlanta United FC)
A side all Orlando City SC supporters love to hate, Atlanta United have inflicted a lot of psychological damage on City since their 2017 MLS entrance.
But in 2020, Oscar Pareja‘s Orlando City SC started flipping an all too familiar script.
City earned their first ever victory at Mercedes-Benz Stadium (1-3) in August 2020. Then came a first ever home victory over The Five Stripes (4-1) on October 28.
Sandwiched in between was a 0-0 draw at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on October 7.
In truth, this was a game Orlando City SC dominated too and looking back, we could, and probably should’ve made it a sweep.
Atlanta United 1 Orlando City SC 3 – Highlights – August 29, 2020 (Credit: Atlanta United FC)
Despite Orlando City SC going unbeaten against Atlanta United in 2020, both teams have scored in THREE of the last FOUR head-to-heads.
Excluding the 0-0 draw in Georgia in October 2020, the other THREE 2020 head-to-heads saw both sides score.
Fortunately, Orlando City SC outscored Atlanta United 8-3 across these fixtures.
With Gabriel Heinze adding veteran Lisandro López to his attack this season, The Five Stripes now have a solid depth piece behind Josef Martínez.
Orlando City SC form
There’s a few too many draws than wins but nevertheless, Orlando City SC remain undefeated in SIX MLS home opener fixtures so far.
A good omen heading into this monster clash against Atlanta United, right?
- 2015 – Orlando City SC 1 New York City FC 1
- 2016 – Orlando City SC 2 Real Salt Lake 2
- 2017 – Orlando City SC 1 New York City FC 0
- 2018 – Orlando City SC 1 D.C. United 1
- 2019 – Orlando City SC 2 New York City FC 2
- 2020 – Orlando City SC 0 Real Salt Lake 0
Casting our minds back to last season’s home opener, a game Orlando City UK attended live, it was more solid than spectacular by Orlando City SC.
Nevertheless, Oscar Pareja‘s side was only just beginning to put the building blocks in place.
On the day, you could see Antônio Carlos and Robin Jansson had developed a good early chemistry in central defence.
Orlando City SC 0 Real Salt Lake 0 – Highlights – February 29, 2020 (Credit: Major League Soccer)
Atlanta United form
So Orlando City SC is undefeated in opening day MLS fixtures but what of Atlanta United’s form on day one?
In their four seasons elapsed, Atlanta United have lost THREE of their FOUR openers.
Despite being a force since their 2017 MLS entrance, The Five Stripes lost 1-2 against New York Red Bulls (2017), 4-0 at Houston Dynamo (2018), and 2-0 at D.C. United (2019).
Their only opening day victory so far came in last season’s inaugural fixture against Nashville SC at Nissan Stadium (1-2).
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Don’t forget, Orlando City SC vs Atlanta United will be shown LIVE on FreeSports on Saturday evening at 20:30 (GMT).
You can view our TV Fixture Tracker by clicking here.
GOOD NEWS 📺 | @OrlandoCitySC 🆚 @ATLUTD is LIVE on @FreeSports_TV at the early time of 8:30PM on Saturday, April 1️⃣7️⃣. 🦁⚽️👏🏽
VIEW TV TRACKER 📺: https://t.co/KV9JvpAA0o#ORLvATL #OrlandoCity #MLSUK pic.twitter.com/66AwM5GRHk
— Orlando City UK (@Orlando_CityUK) April 6, 2021