Ladies and gents, 17s of all ages… it’s time for OFYO.
After a dominant 4-1 home opener win, the Five Stripes have all of the momentum going into a derby game against Orlando City SC. The Lions, now eliminated from CONCACAF Champions Cup, will look to correct course in MLS after earning just one point in three games. Atlanta, on the other hand, wants to defend its home fortress and deal the next big blow to Orlando who finished second in the Supporters’ Shield standings in 2023.
Players to Watch
After a seesaw of a transfer saga, Duncan Maguire is finally staying with the Lions at least until the summer. Maguire, the No. 6 overall pick in the 2023 MLS SuperDraft, has scored both of Orlando’s goals this season after an eye-catching 2023 where he got 13 goals and 3 assists.
It’s impossible to talk about the Lions without talking about Facundo Torres. The 23-year-old Uruguayan winger has 2 goals and an assist for Orlando in CONCACAF Champions Cup after topping the club’s scoring charts in 2023 with 14 goals and 3 assists to his name. He was listed as questionable with a right upper extremity injury for the Lions’ 3-2 loss against Minnesota United and ended up left off the matchday squad, but he featured in the 4-2 loss to Tigres UANL in CONCACAF Champions Cup.
Finally, 25-year-old winger Martin Ojeda is one of the most key contributors for Orlando offensively. He has two assists across all competitions this year after coming off a 6 goal, 7 assist 2023 season.
Atlanta United vs Orlando City 2023 Stat Comparison
The History
The Five Stripes lead the all-time series against the Lions with a 9-4-7 record. At home, Atlanta holds a less dominant 3-2-4 record. The last time these two faced in Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta found an early lead thanks to Caleb Wiley before Antonio Carlos and Duncan Maguire completed the 2-1 comeback for Orlando.
The Five Stripes’ latest victory over the Lions came on Sept. 14, 2022 at Exploria Stadium (now Inter and Co. Stadium) after Thiago Almada capped a spectacular run through the box with the 1-0 winner. Atlanta’s last win against Orlando in the Benz was a 3-0 beatdown on Sept. 10, 2021 with goals from Ezequiel Barco, George Campbell and an own goal from Daryl Dike.
Availability Reports
Will be updated after official availability reports drop.
Predicted Lineups
Atlanta United Predicted XI:
Orlando City Predicted XI:
Score Predictions
Jackson (2 points): 2-0 Atlanta
Sydney (2 points): 2-0 Atlanta
Tommy (2 points): 2-1 Atlanta
Grey (1 point): 5-1 Atlanta
Henry (1 point): 3-1 Atlanta
Calum (1 point): 4-1 Atlanta
Tyler (1 point): 3-1 Atlanta
Time for your predictions! Post your score predictions, thoughts and more in the comments below!
Game day, Atlantistas! This should be a good test, though I thought Orlando was quite weak when I saw them agaist Miami. I saw Miami beat DC yesterday, and man, do I miss Suarez. We were so lucky to have him last year. I think he is, by far, the best striker playing in MLS. I noticed that Tata changed the entire team from last season. There is not a single starter from before his arrival, unless we consider Robert Taylor a starter.
Many good players, like this kid Redondo. Tata has an amazing eye for talent. Though, I can´t see them defending against a good MX side, they are good enough for MLS, where defending still borders on the comic. Did you see Montreal yesterday?
One thing: you call the guys who narrate the game “announcers”? I find them terrible. I never really paid attention to their work. They seem to be annouding the invasion of Normandy, and not a game. So dramatic, no humor, and no comments on the nature of plays. Weird.
So, Gremio is still in nowhere land, so I am having fun with MLS. See you tonight, I hope – (your game is at 20:00 my time, and we are planning a Sunday churrasco at the residence,. Let´s see how guests behave.
[…] Match Preview: Atlanta United vs Orlando City […]
Cartagena is out with a red, I believe
Thanks for catching that. Absolutely right.
xE
I think it’ll end up being a relatively comfortable scoreline, but a game that has a fair bit of tense moments in the opening 20 or so.
Cheeky, I like it
We are not going to have Giakomakis next week, so it will have to be just A.S.S.
Sounds like an Elon Musk brand of gasoline
Isn’t Almada out too?
I’m not clever enough to come up with a new acronym for Saba Xande Firmino Thiare.
What’s your source for “Almada may be out”? I can’t find anything to confirm this and while it is anything but official, the official MLS website Injury Report, which does make a best faith effort to track these things, has no AU players listed as injured.
They mean for the Toronto match next weekend. Almada has been called up by Argentina’s U23s, so he’ll miss that game.
Yeah, as Henry said, I meant the Toronto game next weekend. We’re losing Almada, Giorgos, Slisz, Wiley, Fortune, and Abram to international duty.
Yep. Almada will be out against Toronto since he was called up for Argentina’s U23s.