Eastern Conference Semifinalists. Can you believe it?
Not that you could’ve believed Atlanta United surpassing Inter Miami in Round One was in the cards. Or getting to Round One. Or even simply making the Wild Card match against Montreal in the first place.
The Cinderella story continues into this afternoon’s Eastern Conference Semifinal matchup against (guess who?) The Purple Team, where things get real…er. It’s back to a single elimination format from here on out, so Atlanta United have only one match between them and elimination the rest of the way. That isn’t anything new, though, is it?
Each of the Five Stripes’ last five wins have come with the threat of elimination at their necks, dating back to the beginning of October. Atlanta has stepped up when needed- can they do it again?
It’s the first time they’ve ever met their rivals to the south in the MLS Cup Playoffs, but not the first in an elimination scenario. Atlanta defeated Orlando in the semifinals on their way to lifting the 2019 U.S. Open Cup, a 2-0 result on the road in central Florida. The latest? Go back a month, where Atlanta found an improbable, chaotic victory in the Lion’s den to sneak into the Wild Card match.
The biggest question of all- is the F.E.A. mentality that has carried this team through the postseason still alive after the international break? A two week gap since Atlanta pulled off the biggest win yet, a 3-2 result in Ft. Lauderdale to knock out Messi and Friends, wasn’t ideal in terms of maintaining the morale boost that comes with, y’know, eliminating the record setting Shield winners. Can the Five Stripes keep up the energy and schedule a Conference Final date with (again…guess who?) NYRB?
The second of the Eastern Conference semifinals will stream on Apple TV with a subscription to MLS Season Pass. Radio coverage for this afternoon is provided in English as usual on 92.9 The Game and in Spanish on La Mejor.
As we gear up for a 3:40 PM kickoff, check out our match preview and lineup prediction, then bring it back here and into the match thread using the comments below to discuss all the action around what’s gearing up to be an iconic MLS Playoff clash.
Atlanta United’s Lineup:
Orlando City’s Lineup:
How to Watch:
Venue: Inter&Co Stadium, Orlando, Florida
Kickoff Time: Sunday, November 24th, 3:40 PM ET
Available TV/Streaming: Apple TV (with MLS Season Pass subscription)
Available Radio: 92.9 The Game, La Mejor 1600/1460/1130 AM
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Well, we were playing with house money, and gave them a game. Not a bad end to a crazy season that finished with a roster missing two DPs and lots of injuries. Looking forward to seeing what this team can do next year with some targeted acquisitions. The core is there, and the team plays with a lot of heart!
I LOVE YALL, I LOVE THIS BADGE!!! never stop supporting guys. I love you all. Cya next season. It’s been a pleasure.
Damn
Not sure where the goal will come from, but I have faith
Someone is definitely going to score soon. I don’t know if it’s us or Orlando though
i guess Gregersen is still not 100%, that we are subbing him off for Muyumba
Seriously ? How many more injuries can we take on ?
Honestly that could be a red on Derrick ngl.
We are building slowly but surley.
just push Miranchuk up to the striker position and sub on Wolff or Brennan around the 60th min as the shadow striker
Miranchuk is a shadow
Is Xande hurt?
Alright so no strikers left… Close to gg’s boys but that’s the way its been all season.
Got ’em right where we want ’em, boys!
Let’s enjoy what could be the last 45 minutes of a very cool (but mostly terrible) season.
12 comments by halftime in a playoff thread ? Hello? Is this thing on ?
It’s sad. I remember on Dirty South how it used to be 96 by halftime. Not sure if people just didn’t transition here or what…
I think we should consider bringing Hernandez on at RB, and going to a back four with Gregersen and Williams in the middle. That will free up Slisz to get forward. Need him bombing forward now that Rios is in.
You got your wish … kind of
sucks having to waste a substitution window in the first half…
Damn – we had some offensive flow until thiare got hacked then we have been just been slowly sliding backwards
Come on guys. We can do so much better.
We can’t play with a half a player Thiare – in or out bro
Thanks post !
The sun is brutal for viewing the game
I hate it.
It feels great to see Atlanta United making another run in the playoffs. Congratulations to our guys for turning a brutal season into a reason for hope and excitement. We can’t take any of these matches for granted but the writers have set up a compelling run for us if we can beat our old nemeses Orlando, Red Bulls, and Seattle.
WE REEAADY.
This is our first conference semifinal since 2019. While I want to have fun with the people I am watching with, I also want to enjoy this moment and the game as it’s been half a decade since we’ve been in such a moment. FEA BABY!!!
LFG!! FEA!!!
🟥⬛️🟥⬛️🟥