After an embarrassing 5-0 thrashing at New York City FC, Oscar Pareja‘s Orlando City SC must pick themselves up quickly for a home game against rivals Atlanta United.
Missing several first team regulars at NYCFC, partly through international call-ups but also by choice, it was the first time Orlando City SC have been disgraced under Pareja’s leadership.
Sure, the mid-season Major League Soccer schedule is hectic. A 34-year-old Nani cannot play every single game.
However, in hindsight, the lack of cohesion between several back-up options was particularly alarming.
Yankee Stadium presents its own set of challenges, what with a tiny playing field, divots and subsequent slipping on a poor playing surface.
However, it’s the same for both teams. On reflection, Orlando City SC never flooded the midfield to make life difficult for the hosts NYCFC.
Affording danger men like Maxi Moralez way too much space to create, things got ugly after trailing 1-0 at half-time.
Between the 53rd and 82nd minutes, Ismael Tajouri-Shradi, Maxi Moralez, Malte Amundsen and Valentín Castellanos goals ruthlessly killed the contest.
The only real positive was that City debutant Emmanuel Mas looked solid. Elsewhere, there were few other courageous displays.
With rare starts for the likes of Alexander Alvarado, Joey DeZart and Uri Rosell, nobody really grasped the opportunity.
Orlando City SC must now draw a line under that result and focus on defeating a poor Atlanta United side at home.
A shadow of their former selves, The Five Stripes are currently coached by Orlando City SC club legend Rob Valentino.
In interim charge after Gabriel Heinze’s July 18 sacking, it will be an emotional night for the two-time USL Pro champion.
With Orlando City SC surrendering the game at New York City FC, nothing short of three points is the expectation here.
The Lions may be without Pedro Gallese however with the Peruvian rumoured to be sidelined by injury for three weeks.
Orlando City SC vs Atlanta United – 2017/21 head-to-head stats
The last time we witnessed this Florida – Georgia rivalry was on the opening weekend of the 2021 MLS season.
With Atlanta United visiting Exploria Stadium under the new leadership of Gabriel Heinze, it ended in a 0-0 draw.
On a boiling hot day in Central Florida, both sides looked leggy as they acclimatised to competitive MLS action again.
Orlando City SC had the best chances to win the game with City debutant Alexandre Pato going close twice.
Unfortunately suffering a long-term injury during this game, the Brazilian is still yet to return to first team action.
Orlando City SC 0 Atlanta United 0 – Highlights – April 17, 2021 (Credit: Major League Soccer)
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.
Orlando City SC 4 Atlanta United 1 – Highlights – October 28, 2020 (Credit: Atlanta United FC)
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.
Given Orlando City SC‘s newfound courage against rivals Atlanta United, the Lions are unbeaten in the last FOUR MLS head-to-heads.
That’s some turnaround in fortune following a dismal record through 2017, 2018, and 2019.
Many fans of The Five Stripes point to talisman Josef Martínez’s long-term absence through 2020.
Nevertheless, Orlando City SC can only beat what’s in front of them and they will relish facing their much-loathed Venezuelan nemesis this Friday.
Orlando City SC form
Strong home form is the foundation for any successful MLS regular season campaign.
Fortunately, Orlando City SC have been rock solid at Exploria Stadium this season. The Lions have won THREE of our last FOUR home games.
With New York Red Bulls being the only visitors to inflict defeat on Orlando City SC at home, our most recent home game was super pleasing.
A narrow 2-1 win over Philadelphia Union on July 22, it felt good to take out another high-flying Eastern Conference rival.
Despite Atlanta United’s lowly position, nothing but 100% effort and commitment is required here.
After all, Atlanta United are a side that City fans love to hate.
Orlando City SC 2 Philadelphia Union 1 – Highlights – July 22, 2021 (Credit: Major League Soccer)
Atlanta United form
No strangers to pulling the trigger on managerial changes, Gabriel Heinze was sacked by Atlanta United on July 18.
This was after a terrible run of no victories in eight consecutive MLS fixtures.
With Lions club legend Rob Valentino taking charge of two Atlanta United fixtures so far, the winless streak has extended to 10 games.
Valentino oversaw a 1-1 draw at FC Cincinnati on July 21. After that, Valentino’s side lost 0-1 to Columbus Crew on July 24.
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Don’t forget, Orlando City SC vs Atlanta United will be shown LIVE on FreeSports in the early hours of Saturday morning at 01:05 (GMT).
You can view our TV Fixture Tracker by clicking here.
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