After facing Charlotte FC for the third time this season this past Saturday, Atlanta United encounters another three-time opponent in hated rival Orlando City. Thanks in part to the arrival of Antoine Griezmann, Orlando has found a bit of form and currently sits eighth in the conference standings. The derby’s lost a bit of its luster over the years, but after a disappointing showing against The Crown, Atlanta would love nothing more than to silence the Lions while continuing a potential push for a playoff spot.
For more on Orlando, I caught up with Mike Spillane (X) from the Orlando Lions Den Podcast (X, Apple Podcasts, Spotify).
The last time these two teams played, Antoine Griezmann wasn’t here. Since his arrival, he has scored five goals and three assists in eight matches. What’s the tangible impact he’s had on this Orlando team?
Griezmann has come in and really just proven what we know; he’s a guy who can be a match-winner every game. He’s come to the club committed, fit, and knowledgeable about our players and their strengths; he even got the green light to come in early for training during the window. He’s also clearly just not here for a payday. He’s playing full 90’s; he’s tracking back and defending, dropping deep. He’s really doing it all thus far.
Orlando’s worked its way into a playoff spot, currently sitting eighth in the East with 11 matches remaining. What are the main factors keeping them from being higher up in the table than they are now?
I think the main factor that is keeping us from being higher up the table is exactly what our record shows: it’s that our defense has been a liability.
Under interim coach Martin Perelman, Griffin Dorsey, as a fullback, is one of the players highest up the pitch. Robin Jansson is sadly showing his age, while David Brekalo has had struggles left and right. And our left back position has been a point of emphasis for opponents. Adrian Marin has not been very good. Bernardo Rhein has shown flashes of potential, but he’s still 18. Zakaria Taifi has filled in recently, but is clearly a player meant to be on the right side of the field. Vinicius Noguiera is on his way in from Ludogorets, but we don’t know how much of an impact it will have. Maxime Crepeau has been great, but when he’s getting peppered to the degree he has been, you can’t save them all. Defense needs to improve drastically for us to keep climbing the table.
What’s the realistic ceiling for this group? Griezmann seems to be clicking, and the team has found a little bit of form. What are reasonable expectations for them down the stretch?
First and foremost, the focus has to remain on the Open Cup. You are two wins from a trophy, and the final would be at home should you make it. I hope the team prioritizes accordingly.
The most intriguing part of all this, though, is that Martin Ojeda has recovered and is healthy; he’s subbed on the last two games and could be in line for a start this week. Currently, you have Griezmann and Justin Ellis, who are both cooking together, and Daryl Dike, who has begun to start and make an impact. You also have Tyrese Spicer in great form, other DPs in Ojeda and Marco Pasalic (who may be in a bench role the rest of this season). The attack seems to have an embarrassment of riches at this point.
So the reasonable expectation is that this team will go as far as their offensive firepower will allow them to, because we know the defense can’t be trusted.