Well, they have to get a point at Orlando City, right?
Things went from bad to worse for Atlanta United last time out as it was largely listless in a 3-0 loss to the Philadelphia Union. And if things weren’t bad enough:
- Stian Gregersen came out injured in the 31st
- Tristan Muyumba came out moments later
- Latte Lath was shown a yellow card, his fifth — meaning he’ll serve a suspension
That’s not to mention that Atlanta was scored on in the second half despite the Union playing with 10 men.
The good news is that with nine games played headed into Saturday’s match against the Lions, the season’s not completely gone. But the margin for error for Atlanta United is shrinking by the week, and with it the patience of a fanbase who’s been waiting for things to come together for a while. At the very least, it needs to show vastly more effort than what they put out in Chester in the previous match.
Get ready for Atlanta United at Orlando City
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The book on Orlando City
Things aren’t nearly as desperate for Orlando City right now. But after playing to three straight 0-0 draws, I imagine that’s made for more than a few frustrated fans in Central Florida. It did get off to a decent start (3-2-1) but those three wins were against Toronto FC, D.C. United, and the LA Galaxy.
Duncan McGuire is still working his way back from a shoulder injury and has yet to score, but Martin Ojeda and Marco Pasalic have a goal each while Luis Muriel’s chipped in three. Still, there’s been nothing to speak of over the past three outings.
Pedro Gallese is in net as always, with the Pervian international coming off a seven-save performance against CF Montreal the last time out.
Atlanta United injury/availability report vs. Orlando City
Stian Gregersen and Tristan Muyumba are the big ones as both will be out at least three weeks. Derrick Williams still isn’t ready to go as he continues to recover from his hamstring injury.
Of course, the other storyline headed into Saturday’s match is the deadline day deal that sent Xande Silva to St. Louis CITY SC. It will be interesting to see what Ronny Deila does at the left wing spot: does he continue to play Jay Fortune there or switch Miguel Almiron to that side of the field?
Atlanta United predicted starting XI at Orlando City
Prediction: Orlando City 1-1 Atlanta United
Last week I predicted that against the Philadelphia Union, it will look much better collectively for Atlanta, who I thought will manage to get out of Chester with a draw in a hard-fought match. That obviously didn’t happen. I think it will against Orlando, even with the absences.
[…] Atlanta United at Orlando City: Match preview, predicted lineups, and score prediction […]
For Orlando, playing Atlanta at home couldn’t come at a better time. Struggling team with 0 goals in three games. Best way to bounce back is to grab 1 or 2 cheap goals to rebuild confidence, even if the opponent packaged them up nicely for you. Unfortunately, that is reality right now.
I have tons of opinions and caveats on whether we should change formations, tactics, or staring player selections. All with very nuanced reasoning.
But the one thing I know for sure and my strongest opinion regarding any other certainty, “please do not start Slisz”.
I like Slisz as a player, and think he can be useful, but his stats and performance lately has proven he is not fitting what the team is currently trying to do.
I feel the same way about Lennon, Gregersen, Williams, Klich, Almiron, Miranchuk, Saba, and at times even Latte Lath.
Interesting. And fair. My opinion is that all the players you mentioned have had moments of good play this year. Except maybe Saba, I agree with you that he’s struggled this year as well – though It’s easier to hide the poor performance from one of your attacking wingers than it is from a defensive midfielder IMO.
And to your point, Slizs has not had the benefits of really mixing in good with bad. Which is unfortunate based on what I recall from last year.
Bench Lennon. It’s ridiculous already.
Yes please!!!!!
at this point, just put all the names into an RNG and pull out a starting 11 that way. cause it seems like nothing is working right now
I’d rather see a 3-5-2
Thiare — Almiron
Amador — Miranchuk — Klich — Reilly — Lennon
Edwards — Abram — Cobb
Amador/Lennon taking up wings
Miranchuk/Klich/Reilly working as a triangle in the midfield
Thiare as CF and Almiron as a SS.
I mean, try it. Like the other guy said, what, will we start losing?
Yeah, I want this, just swap Lennon for Saba.
100000% agree. Get Lennon out of there.
My preferred XI to watch on Saturday:
Barnes Isak Gordon
Joelinton
Guimaraes Tonali
Lewis Burn SwedishGuy Trippier
Pope
A 1-1 draw is outrageously optimistic
over/under give up 2?
What if yall make a few positional changes. Mira at RW as a wide playmaker cutting into his stronger left foot and creating space for an overlapping runs from RB (At Atalanta he played on the wing and his in-swing deliveries made a difference). Almiron as a 10 to keep him centrally as he’s more dynamic. and Saba at LW (I know he’s been better on the right) but 1 player out of position is better than 3 in my opinion. Saba can be the wide-direct outlet as Mira and Miggy can either switch the play to him or send him through.
This. This makes sense, but it probably makes too much sense for us to see it happen on Saturday.
As long as we have Almiron playing on the wing and Miranchuk as the 10, we are in trouble – so if the starting lineup is as predicted, I think we lose. Praying that RD changes it up.
Funny part is: both Miranchuk and Almiron play/have played LW for their respective national teams. I still am hopeful we will see Mira on the left and Miggy at the 10.
Then you have Mosquera and Brennan on the bench if Deila needs to sub off Klich and maybe Mira can slot into that 8 role.
Fingers crossed lol
Curious, where are you guys getting the idea that Aleksey plays LW?
Whoops, looks like he normally is either a CAM or RW for Russian, but i see he has played on the LW for them as well (quick transfermarkt search). I just remember when he was coming on he said he has played and can play all 4 front positions and saw some others say he has played LW
Yeah he’s played on the left a couple of times but definitely is stronger on the right/central role (just not in ATL haha). I’ve been seeing people mentioning that he plays LW and was wondering if people are confusing that info with his twin Anton Miranchuk who’s a right footed attacker and plays on the left more than Aleksey. Either way, I hope he ups his game soon lol
Did we get parent trapped?
Well played sir.
I’d challenge this. If we have Miggy on the wing, and he actually plays that position, then having Alexei at 10 will open up play a lot.
I know I’m a broken record, but watch some old Newcastle games. Miggy had positional discipline and was highly effective out wide. He needs to accept that this isn’t 2018 and play what he’s being asked to play.