Orlando City

Orlando City vs. Seattle Sounders: Player Grades and Man of the Match

Published

2 years ago

September 1, 2022

For the third consecutive game, Orlando City scored in second-half injury time to claim all three points, in a 3-2 win over the Seattle Sounders. However, this time the Lions came back from a two-goal deficit and it wasn’t Tesho Akindele scoring the winner. It’s the Lions’ fourth straight win, keeping them in fifth in the Eastern Conference.

Let’s take a look at the individual performances in this big win.

Starters

GK, Pedro Gallese, 5.5 — Gallese didn’t have a lot to do in this game, only facing three shots on target. He conceded two goals in the game, but came up with a huge one-handed save late in the second half that would’ve given the Sounders the lead. Gallese couldn’t do much about Albert Rusnak’s free kick, which went through the wall and was perfectly placed in the top corner, but he could have done better on Raul Ruidiaz’s near-post effort.

D, Joao Moutinho, 6.5 — Moutinho was the better of the two starting fullbacks in this game. The left back had two tackles and one clearance defensively, but his biggest impact was going forward. He completed 84.2% of his 38 passes, including four key passes, and an assist on Facundo Torres’ goal. Moutinho completed three of his seven crosses and one of his two long balls. Additionally, he took one shot on the rebound of Mauricio Pereyra’s poor penalty but what was a likely goal was blocked at the last second by Seattle’s Jackson Ragen.

D, Rodrigo Schlegel, 5.5 — Schlegel was good for most of the game. He ended the game with one tackle, two interceptions, and one clearance, but Jordan Morris blew by him on the second Seattle goal. Going forward, Schlegel completed 81.4% of his 43 passes, completed one of his two long balls, and took one off-target shot. His grade would be higher but his poor defending on Morris on the second goal was his biggest contribution.

D, Antonio Carlos, 6 — As expected, Carlos was the better of the two center backs for most of the game. The Brazilian had two tackles and three clearances defensively. He completed 88.9% of his 36 shots and five of his seven long balls. He also took one shot, which was on target. However, Carlos had a role in both Seattle goals. He committed the foul that led to the first goal and was at the near post on the second, although Ruan was the man covering Ruidiaz. Carlos also took an unnecessary yellow card arguing a foul call that went against him.

D, Ruan, 5 — Ruan was at fault for one of the Seattle goals but unlike Carlos, didn’t put up a strong display to overcome that mistake. He didn’t have any defensive statistics in this game. He completed 83.3% of his 24 passes and had two key passes, but he only had one cross attempt and it was incomplete. Ruan was at the near post on Seattle’s second goal but was unable to clear it. It’s fair to say that in a transition situation with three defenders back against two attackers, it’s probably not the best idea to leave the other team’s Designated Player striker 1-v-1 with the Brazilian right back. The inability to clear the ball allowed Rusnak to score the game’s opening goal.

MF, Mauricio Pereyra, 6 — Pereyra had a strong game on both sides. Offensively, he completed 94.6% of his 37 passes, including one key pass. He completed two of his four crosses and five of his six long balls. He took two shots and one of those was on target. Defensively, Pereyra had one tackle, one interceptions, and one blocked shot. Pereyra would’ve had a higher score, but he took a very poor penalty in the first half that was at the perfect position and height for Stefan Frei. Had the Lions not scored at the end, it could’ve cost the team two points.

MF, Cesar Araujo, 7 — Araujo has been one of Orlando City’s most consistent players and had another great performance in this game. Defensively, the central midfielder had four tackles and was instrumental when Oscar Pareja brought on Benji Michel for Ruan, going with three defenders. When in possession, he completed 90.2% of his 51 passes, had a key pass, and completed all five of his long balls. He also had one off-target shot but was fantastic in his role.

MF, Niko Gioacchini, 5 — This was Gioacchini’s first start for the senior team and a little rust was showing. Gioacchini’s had an early unlucky touch as he seemed about to break free for a scoring chance but lost the handle on the ball. He completed just 70.6% of his 17 passes, had one key pass, and one off-target shot. His biggest contributions of the game were drawing the penalty that Pereyra sent at the goalkeeper and nearly assisting a goal for Ivan Angulo had Frei not made a terrific save.

MF, Junior Urso, 5.5 — After arguably his best performance of the season, Urso saw a bit of a drop-off in this one. He completed 82.4% of his 34 passes and completed four of his six long balls. He didn’t get any shots off but did play Gioacchini into the box that resulted in the first penalty. Defensively, Urso had one tackle and two interceptions. It wasn’t one of Urso’s more impactful games, but it wasn’t a bad performance either.

MF, Ivan Angulo, 6 — Angulo was in the starting lineup for the first time in this game and had another strong performance. He completed 88.2% of his 17 passes, had one incomplete cross, and completed his only long ball. He took two shots in the game, both of which were on target and chipped in two tackles on defense. While he wasn’t as good as the game against New York City FC Sunday night, he’s been better than Jake Mulraney and Gioacchini and has probably cemented his spot in the starting lineup for the upcoming games.

F, Tesho Akindele, 5.5 — After scoring game-winning goals in the two most recent games, Akindele earned himself a spot in the starting lineup against Seattle. In 63 minutes, the forward completed 53.3% of his 15 passes, completed one long ball, won four aerials, and took two off-target shots, one of which was blocked by a defender from point-blank range in his last action before being subbed off.

Substitutes

MF, Facundo Torres (46’), 7 (MotM) — After starting 14 of the last 15 games, Torres was given a rest for the first half against Seattle. However, Pareja said after the game that he wanted the star midfielder’s left-footed option in the second half, and he came on at halftime for Gioacchini. He made an immediate impact, scoring Orlando City’s first goal in the 53rd minute and assisting the winning goal in injury time. He completed 90% of his 20 passes with two key passes, one of his two crosses, and his one long ball. He had two shots in the game, with one going in.

F, Ercan Kara (64’), 6 — Similar to Torres, Kara came on in the second half and made an immediate impact. The striker replaced Akindele with Orlando City down a goal. In the 68th minute, he stepped up for the team’s second penalty of the night after a handball in the box. Unlike the first, Kara put his attempt into the corner, evening the game at 2-2. In addition to the goal, Kara completed one of his three passes and took two other shots, but both were officially recorded as off target — although one was a header that Frei made an excellent save to keep out, so there’s no telling what the official scorer saw on that play. The actual off-target shot was a header that missed by about a foot or less on a good corner kick cross from Torres. He was brought on to bring the Lions back even and did his job.

MF, Benji Michel (64’), 5.5 — Pareja made an aggressive move by bringing Michel on for Ruan in the 64th minute. He played in the midfield in this game, spending most of his time out wide in a bit of a wingback role to start before moving to the attacking midfield when Kyle Smith came on. He completed eight of his 10 passes, had one incomplete cross, and one incomplete long ball. He took one shot, which was on target, but didn’t make a big impact on the game.

D, Kyle Smith (76’), 7 — Smith came on for Pereyra in the 76th minute as the Lions went back to a traditional back four. It looked as though he wouldn’t have a big impact, but he did late. In the 89th minute, he nearly assisted the winner on a fantastic ball that landed on the head of Andres Perea, but Frei made a great save. A minute into injury time, Smith scored the game-winning goal. It took a deflection off Ragen’s body, but Smith was awarded the goal due to the original effort being judged on target, lifting the Lions to a 3-2 win. In the end, Smith completed all five of his passes, his lone cross, both of his long balls, and scored on his only shot. Can’t do much better than that.

MF, Andres Perea (76’), 6 — Perea came on in the 76th minute with Smith, replacing Angulo. He completed four of his five passes and nearly scored the winner in the 89th minute. Perea attacked the ball, beating the defenders to the ball on Smith’s cross but hit his shot right at Frei.

That’s how I saw the individual performances in this game. Let us know how you saw it and vote on the Man of the Match below.

Polling Closed

Player	Votes
Facundo Torres	55
Cesar Araujo	3
Kyle Smith	9
Joao Moutinho	2
Mauricio Pereyra	0
Other (let us know in the comments)	0

Related Topics:Player Grades SBN_migrated

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Orlando City

Orlando City vs. Atlanta United: Five Takeaways

Here’s what we learned from Orlando City’s 2-1 loss to Atlanta United.

Published

18 hours ago

October 20, 2024

David Rohe

Image courtesy of Orlando City SC / Mark Thor

Orlando City hosted Atlanta United at Inter&Co Stadium on Decision Day. The 2-1 loss had its share of controversy, but the Lions’ home undefeated streak ended at seven. While it was a disappointing result, I’m hopeful it will put a chip on the shoulder of Orlando City so the team rolls through the playoffs.

Here are my five takeaways from a depressing but ultimately meaningless loss.

Not a Great Start, Bob

The right side of Orlando City’s defense decided that the level of difficulty in the match needed to be higher. As such, the defenders on that side all decided to take a nap or close their eyes in the seventh minute. Pedro Amador’s back heel to put Saba Lobjanidze behind the defense was slick, and it allowed Lobjanidze to put the ball past Pedro Gallese and into the bottom right corner of the goal. Nine minutes later, Gallese made the initial save on Atlanta’s corner kick, but he pushed it out to Jamal Thiaré, who gave Atlanta the two-goal lead.

It’s Ojeda’s Half

Martin Ojeda was a difference maker for Orlando City right from the start. He managed seven shots in the first half, but it was his goal in the 42nd minute that truly changed the complexion of the match for the Lions. With Orlando City down two goals, Rafael Santos crossed the ball into the box and onto the head of Ojeda, who redirected it past Brad Guzan to pull the Lions within one. It was fitting that Ojeda got the goal, given the good work he’d done all half.

The Great Gallese

Dagur Dan Thorhallsson almost put a dagger in the hearts of the Orlando City faithful when he fouled Lobjanidze inside the box to give Atlanta United a penalty kick less than a minute into the second half. Alexey Miranchuk stepped up to take the kick for Atlanta, but was denied the goal by Gallese. El Pulpo guessed correctly, diving to his right side and getting a tentacle on the shot to keep Orlando City in the match.

The Hand of McGuire

Duncan McGuire’s arm couldn’t have been closer to his body unless it was inside his ribcage. Regardless, the video assistant referee looked at it and sent referee Rubiel Vazquez to the monitor for a second look. Vazquez determined that the ball hit his hand prior to him putting the ball in the back of the net. I was watching from home, and I didn’t think the video evidence was definitive enough to overturn the goal. Of course, I’m not Don Garber…er…PRO referees. If McGuire’s goal stood, Atlanta was out of playoff contention. Instead, the decision put Atlanta into the playoff Wild Card match against CF Montreal.

Good Enough but Not Good Enough

Ultimately, the result didn’t matter for Orlando City. New York City FC’s loss ensured the Lions finished the regular season in fourth place, earning home field advantage in the round. Other than the two defensive lapses early, the Lions dominated the match. Orlando City took 20 shots to Atlanta’s seven, with eight on target to Atlanta’s four. The Lions also held 67% of the possession, and passed at a 90% rate. The chances were there, but saves by Guzan and a controversial overturned goal contributed to the Orlando City loss.

That is what I saw in the 2-1 loss. What were your biggest takeaways from the game? Let us know in the comments below and as always, vamos Orlando!

Orlando City

Orlando City vs. Atlanta United: Final Score 2-1 as Lions Fall at Home in Regular-Season Finale

The Lions fell behind by two goals, pulled one back, and had a late equalizer overturned after video review on Decision Day.

Published

1 day ago

October 19, 2024

Michael Citro

Image courtesy of Orlando City / Mark Thor

Orlando City conceded two early goals and couldn’t finish its opportunities in a disappointing 2-1 loss to Atlanta United at Inter&Co Stadium on Decision Day. The Lions (15-12-7, 52 points) allowed Atlanta (10-14-10, 40 points) to do something it hadn’t done all season — score twice in the game’s first 16 minutes — and Orlando’s disjointed attack couldn’t overcome the deficit. It kind of did, but after Martin Ojeda pulled one goal back the Lions had a late, would-be tying goal from Duncan McGuire overturned by the referee after video review.

Saba Lobjanidze and Jamal Thiare put the visitors ahead early and the Five Stripes held on to sweep the season series and squeaked into the postseason’s play-in game due to results elsewhere. Orlando City clinched fourth place despite the loss, thanks to New York City FC’s loss to Montreal.

“I thought we played well, and we had some moments of distractions,” Orlando City Head Coach Oscar Pareja said after the game. “Not that we got outplayed by Atlanta, but we got distractions on a couple plays, especially at the start of the halves and we need to correct that. It cannot happen in the playoffs. In between those moments, I thought the boys played well. We have had more sharpness on our finishing than tonight, but I thought the heart of the team was there tonight.”

Pareja’s starting lineup included Pedro Gallese in goal behind a back line of Rafael Santos, Robin Jansson, Rodrigo Schlegel, Dagur Dan Thorhallsson. Cesar Araujo started in central midfield with Felipe, who filled in for the suspended Wilder Cartagena, behind an attacking line of Ivan Angulo, Ojeda, and Facundo Torres, with Ramiro Enrique.

The warning signs about Orlando’s sharpness appeared four minutes in when a ball found Enrique with his back to goal in the middle near the top of the area. Despite having Angulo, Torres, and Ojeda behind him or to the attacking right, he played a blind ball to the other side, where he had no teammates. Atlanta broke quickly in transition but the defense was able to recover and block a cross attempt to end the threat.

The Lions created a good opportunity in the fifth minute when a good ball from Torres sent Ojeda down the left flank. Ojeda sent in a dangerous cross to the back post that was just inches over the head of the leaping Enrique. The bouncing ball found its way to Araujo, who fired a shot on target that Brad Guzan saved, but he couldn’t control the rebound, which ricocheted to Ojeda on the left. The Argentine fired but got under the ball, sending it high over the goal and into the seats.

Two minutes later, the visitors too the lead. During a prolonged spell of Atlanta possession that the Lions couldn’t break up, Lobjanidze took a pass and played a give-and-go with Pedro Amador, who backheeled it through the Orlando back line. Both Schlegel and Felipe were caught watching on the play as Lobjanidze slotted it inside the far post to make it 1-0 in the seventh minute.

It's Saba time! ⏰

📺 #MLSSeasonPass: https://t.co/XuepBOlxxR pic.twitter.com/ZslQT49Bvr
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) October 19, 2024

“The first (goal), I thought it was a collective distraction,” Pareja said of his defense. “And I have to admit that Atlanta did a good job on trying to move the ball in and find that space that they found there. We have to be better on those in that moment.”

Ojeda came within inches of pulling the goal back in the 11th minute. From outside the area, the Argentine smashed a shot that fizzed inches wide of the left post and into the outside netting. Three minutes later, the Lions got forward on the counter and Torres had his legs taken out from under him trying to cut inside on his left foot. There was no call or dangerous free kick awarded, and the ball ended up getting picked up further away from goal by Ojeda. The midfielder unleashed a hard shot on target but it was right at Guzan.

Atlanta doubled its lead in the 16th minute. On a scramble play in the box, Santos dangerously knocked the ball out of the air toward his own goal, giving up a corner. The service on the ensuing set piece pinged around the box and found its way off Gallese in front. Thiare was the first to the loose ball as Santos stood watching and stabbed it in to make it 2-0.

Jamal Thiaré pounces on the rebound to double @ATLUTD's lead. ✌️

📺 #MLSSeasonPass: https://t.co/XuepBOlxxR pic.twitter.com/U1909c2qFb
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) October 19, 2024

‘We didn’t clear the ball on the set piece, and by the way I see a handball too there,” Pareja said. “It was difficult to see but it was. I reviewed it already. But it’s a beautiful game. It just doesn’t stop. We have to move on.”

The Lions came close again in the 21st minute. Araujo won a free kick near the right corner and Ojeda sent a near post ball to Enrique, who flicked it on goal. Guzan was there to make the save. Ojeda went for goal on a free kick from 30 yards out in the 39th minute but his effort curled just outside the right post with Guzan scrambling.

Three minutes later, Ojeda pulled one back. A cross from Thorhallsson on the right got through the bodies in front and went out the other side. Santos gathered it and sent it back into the area, where Ojeda flicked a headed shot just inside the back post past Guzan to make it 2-1 in the 42nd minute.

Martin Ojeda with the glancing header and @OrlandoCitySC are right back in it! 👊

📺 #MLSSeasonPass: https://t.co/XuepBOlxxR pic.twitter.com/OTYfhRI3ZC
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) October 19, 2024

“I think, more than anything, that play was just knowing my teammates, knowing that especially when Rafa has the ball, he likes to hit it in really, really strong, into those center areas, and it’ll cause a lot of ricochets,” Ojeda said. “I saw the center back was far away from that first post, so I kind of ran to that area, just like I always do, just like I always try and get into those spaces. And when he looked up and he saw me, and he hit it, you know, I just tried to convert it. Sometimes it happens. Sometimes it doesn’t, but really just trying to take advantage of that opportunity and that space as I always intend to do. And thankfully, he played a great ball, and it found me, and I was able to get it into the goal.”

Ojeda had a couple of chances to equalize in stoppage time but both unfortunately fell onto his weaker right foot. The first happened in the third minute of added time. Orlando pinged the ball around the attacking penalty area but couldn’t direct anything on target. The ball eventually found Torres on the right, and the Uruguayan slid the ball into the center to Ojeda. The shot came with Ojeda’s first touch, but he floated the right-footed effort softly to Guzan.

The last chance for Ojeda came a minute later. Taking the ball down the right, he sent either a pass or shot with his right foot that again floated straight to Guzan.

Orlando City held the halftime advantage in possession (62.3%-37.7%), shot (12-7), shots on goal (6-3), and passing accuracy (86.6%-77.8%). Each team earned one corner in the opening period.

Atlanta had a golden opportunity to restore its two-goal advantage just seconds after the restart. With the Lions unable to corral a loose ball, Atlanta’s Lobjanidze picked it up in the box and was fouled by Thorhallsson. Referee Rubiel Vazquez pointed to the spot, awarding a penalty. Aleksey Miranchuk stepped up to the spot and sent a shot to Gallese’s right but the Peruvian international made a diving save to keep the score 2-1.

🐙 @pedrogallese comes up big 🧤 pic.twitter.com/lQwoevbMkA
— Orlando City SC – x (@OrlandoCitySC) October 19, 2024

“Pedro has had that responsibility to bring himself back to his level, and when he saved that PK today, I thought about that,” Pareja said. “I said, ‘Well, good moment. It’s what we need now.’ Those saves that he used to do, that keep us alive in games, that are hard, and I’m glad for him.”

The chances were less frequent in the second half, with Atlanta looking to stay organized and look for chances to counter. The next decent Orlando look came in the 53rd minute when Angulo teed up a shot on the left near the top of the area, but he hit his shot poorly and missed badly outside the right post.

The Lions won several set pieces in the attacking third, but couldn’t pay them off. Likewise, the crosses didn’t find their targets when some of the bigger targets were in the box, but they seemed to be spot on for smaller guys, including a great ball from Santos for Thorhallsson in the 64th minute. The Icelandic fullback couldn’t beat his defender in the air, allowing Atlanta to clear.

Santos had a go from the top of the box in the 72nd minute, and he blasted his shot, but it fizzed just over the crossbar.

Pareja poured offensive subs into the game in the second half to try to find an equalizer, including McGuire, Luis Muriel, and Nico Lodeiro. The latter went for goal from a set piece in the 84th minute, but his near-post effort couldn’t beat Guzan.

McGuire thought he’d equalized in the 89th minute when Angulo sent a good cross in front that pinged off of a couple of bodies. The big forward smashed a shot over Guzan and just under the bar to send the sellout crowd of 25,046 into a frenzy. However, before the restart, there was a lengthy delay while the video assistant referee reviewed the play. Vazquez went to the monitor to see it for himself, and he disallowed the goal for a handball on McGuire.

The ball hit off the Orlando forward before he fired it home, but live it appeared to hit off his stomach. The replay showed McGuire’s arms straight down at his sides, and the ball may have simultaneously hit his arm and torso, but the way the rule is worded, a handball for an attacking player has a much lower bar for a call. Despite McGuire doing nothing wrong and maintaining as compact a silhouette as possible, he was penalized for it and the game remained 2-1.

“I believe I was talking with (Atlanta’s) Dax McCarty about it, not the referee,” a frustrated-looking McGuire said. “If it hits your hand and you score immediately after, no matter what, it’s called back. I don’t know where else I’m supposed to put my arm, besides next to my side, but that’s all I’m going to say.”

“The officials reviewed it and they saw a handball there,” Pareja said when asked what the match officials told him. “By the ruling, they are correct if it was a handball. I thought it was a very special moment for us and our fans, and the frustration today in not allowing that goal is big, but that is what happened.”

The Lions put the ball into the box a couple more times in stoppage time but couldn’t create a chance from it. The match ended with Atlanta squeaking into the postseason by the slimmest margin and Orlando falling at home for the first time since June 15. The Lions had multiple streaks snapped, including: a three-game winning streak, a seven-game unbeaten run at home (6-0-1) in MLS play, and a 10-match unbeaten streak in all competitions (7-0-3).

Orlando City finished with the advantage in possession (66.5%-33.5%), shots (20-7), shots on target (8-4), and passing accuracy (86.6%-65.7%). Each team finished the game with its one first-half corner kick.

“This loss hurts just as they all do,” Ojeda said. “But at the same time, we’re in a good spot right now. At the start of the season, we had about four or five months where we were in a really bad zone, where results weren’t going our way, bounces in the game weren’t going our way. And it was a tough stretch, and it really hurt us. But now, looking where we are right now, we’re in a beautiful moment. We finished fourth. We’re in a good spot in terms of how the team is playing.”

“Obviously we wanted to lock in fourth place with a win tonight and end the season on a win. Unfortunately, that wasn’t the case here,” McGuire said. “But, you know, with other results in the league, thankfully we got fourth, and now we get to host in the playoffs, which is a huge from how we started the season. So, I’m definitely proud of the boys. And, you know, obviously it’s hard to smile tonight after we lose, but you know, we all look forward, and the positives are we still have hosting the playoff.”

“I congratulate this group of players,” Pareja said of finishing in the top four of the Eastern Conference. “Once again they brought us here. They finalized fourth in the conference and that’s not an easy task. And we like better just to take that positive side.”

The Lions limp into the postseason on the heels of this result, where they will need to be much better in a first-round series against a defensively strong Charlotte FC side. The game schedule will be announced soon.

Orlando City

Orlando City vs. Atlanta United: Preview, How to Watch, TV Info, Live Stream, Lineups, Match Thread, and More

The Lions will have to get past rival Atlanta United to assure themselves a top-four spot in the Eastern Conference on Decision Day.

Published

2 days ago

October 19, 2024

Michael Citro

Image courtesy of Orlando City SC / Mark Thor

Welcome to your match thread for a Decision Day Saturday matchup between Orlando City (15-11-7, 52 points) and Atlanta United (9-14-10, 37 points) at Inter&Co Stadium (6 p.m., MLS Season Pass on Apple TV). It’s the second of the two scheduled meetings between the two Eastern Conference rivals this season.

Here’s what you need to know ahead of tonight’s match.

History

The Lions are 4-9-7 in the all-time series against Atlanta in league play and 2-5-3 at home. Those numbers drop to 4-10-7 and 2-6-3 in all competitions. The last time the teams met was at Mercedes-Benz Stadium back on March 17, when Orlando City fell 2-0 on goals by Saba Lobjanidze and Giorgos Giakoumakis.

The last meeting of 2023 also took place at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, with Orlando City capturing a 2-1 away win. Atlanta took the lead through Caleb Wiley, but Antonio Carlos and Duncan McGuire scored to lead the Lions’ comeback.

They also met in Orlando on May 27, 2023, at then-Exploria Stadium and played to a 1-1 draw. It was a heartbreaking dropped two points for the Lions, who took the lead through Kyle Smith at the half-hour mark and held that advantage until four minutes from full time, when Tyler Wolff pounced on a fortunate rebound in the box and equalized.

Atlanta went 1-0-1 in the season series in 2022. On Sept. 14 at Exploria Stadium the Five Stripes won 1-0 on a Thiago Almada goal despite the Lions out-shooting Atlanta 20-10. The sides played to a 1-1 draw in their first meeting of that year on July 22 in Atlanta. Mauricio Pereyra staked the Lions to an early 1-0 lead on a beautiful free kick. Juan Jose Purata equalized in the second half, but Atlanta bombarded Orlando the majority of the game and completely controlled the midfield, out-shooting the Lions 18-3 in the match.

Orlando had a six-match unbeaten streak in the series (3-0-3) snapped on Sept. 10, 2021, as the Five Stripes won 3-0 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. George Campbell and Ezequiel Barco scored for Atlanta, sandwiched around a Daryl Dike own goal to hand Gonzalo Pineda his first win as manager for United.

The second of three 2021 meetings took place July 30 at Exploria Stadium, with the Five Stripes taking the lead twice on goals by Josef Martinez and Marcelino Moreno, but the Lions not only fought back twice on strikes by Smith and Silvester van der Water, but Nani scored a late game winner by heading in VDW’s cross in Orlando City’s 3-2 win. The first meeting of that season between the two rivals came on opening day — April 17 — and they played to a 0-0 draw. It was an evenly matched game, with each team firing 11 shots and getting three on frame.

The final meeting of 2020 came on Oct. 28, when Orlando City ran away with a 4-1 win over Atlanta at Exploria Stadium. Dike, Chris Mueller, Tesho Akindele, and Matheus Aias — his first in MLS — scored the goals for the Lions, with Cubo Torres preventing a shutout with a late goal for the visitors. Prior to that, the teams met in Atlanta on Oct. 7, 2020 and played to a 0-0 draw. Robinho and Nani each hit the woodwork and Brad Guzan stood on his head to prevent Orlando from taking a deserved three points in that one, while Brian Rowe held down the fort at the other end to earn a shutout in Pedro Gallese’s absence.

Back on Sept. 5, 2020, a late, unforced turnover by Kamal Miller led to Adam Jahn’s 92nd-minute tying goal that offset a Benji Michel goal in a 1-1 draw at Exploria Stadium. Orlando City finally got on the board in the series against Atlanta United with a 3-1 win on the road on Aug. 29, 2020. Junior Urso, Mueller, and Nani supplied the offense to more than counter a Brooks Lennon headed goal. That three-goal explosion snapped a three-match scoreless streak against the Five Stripes for Orlando.

Orlando City created an incredible 17 scoring chances on Aug. 23, 2019, yet finished none of them in a 1-0 home loss. Martinez scored the game’s only goal in the second half. Only 17 days earlier at Exploria Stadium, Orlando also failed to score and lost 2-0 to Atlanta, getting bounced from the U.S. Open Cup semifinals. On Mother’s Day of 2019, Atlanta United claimed a 1-0 win at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Pity Martinez scored the goal.

Atlanta won at the building then known as Orlando City Stadium on Aug. 24, 2018 by a 2-1 final score. Leandro Gonzalez Pirez bundled home a rebound off Joe Bendik, who misplayed Barco’s free kick to open the scoring just 21 minutes in. Scott Sutter tied the game just before the half, but Josef Martinez broke the deadlock in the second half, with only 16 minutes remaining in normal time.

Atlanta easily claimed the June 30, 2018 meeting at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, 4-0. Josef Martinez and Barco each scored a goal and Miguel Almiron added a brace. Orlando lost the first matchup of 2018, 2-1, on May 13. An early penalty on a Cristian Higuita foul gave the visitors a leg up on a Josef Martinez goal from the spot and Barco doubled the lead before halftime. Justin Meram scored his first goal as a Lion to pull one back, but Orlando could get no closer. The unfortunate ending included a shower of debris coming out of the stands due to dissatisfaction with referee Alan Kelly’s decisions that night.

Hector Villalba’s two late goals in the first two meetings turned what could have been an Orlando draw and a win into a loss and a draw. The two teams kicked off their series with Orlando suffering a late 1-0 loss at home on July 21, 2017. Villalba found the net late. Villalba then scored a stoppage-time tally to rescue a 1-1 draw for Atlanta in the second meeting on July 29, 2017. Kaká scored one of his best goals as a Lion in that match to provide Orlando’s lone score.

Orlando City became the first visiting team to take any points out of Mercedes-Benz Stadium with a 3-3 draw in Atlanta that September. Dom Dwyer scored his first brace as a Lion (in MLS, anyway) and also assisted on Cyle Larin’s goal. Josef Martinez’s hat trick spoiled Orlando’s bid to take all three points.

Overview

Orlando is coming off a 3-1 win at FC Cincinnati two weeks ago. The Lions have won three straight games and six of their last seven. Additionally, Orlando City is 6-0-1 in its last seven home matches in league play and 7-0-3 at the purple palace in all competitions since June 15, having overturned a poor start to the season at home to amass a 7-5-4 record at Inter&Co Stadium in MLS matches.

Atlanta United is coming off a 2-1 win at home over the New York Red Bulls in its last game Oct. 5. That win snapped a skid of 0-2-3 and kept the Five Stripes’ faint playoff hopes alive. Atlanta is 3-7-6 on the road this season but 1-0-2 in its last three away from home.

Orlando City’s defense will have to keep tabs on Lobjanidze, who leads Atlanta in goals (8) and is second in assists (7), as well as Daniel Rios, who has chipped in seven goals and four assists for an Atlanta team coached (in the interim) by former USL Lion Rob Valentino. Brooks Lennon is also an important part of the offense, leading Atlanta with eight assists on the year.

The Lions would clinch fourth place with a win or any dropped points by New York City FC tonight. Atlanta can still make the postseason with a win if it gets help in multiple games elsewhere. So, there’s a lot for both teams to play for.

“We know Atlanta [United] has urgency and probably more than just urgency,” Orlando City Head Coach Oscar Pareja said ahead of the match. “They are in their last opportunity to qualify (for the playoffs), and this is a game for us to represent a lot as well. It’s a rivalry on its own, but also just gives us an opportunity to clinch fourth place and give us that advantage. It will be taken like always, with the same responsibility.”

Orlando City will be without midfielder Wilder Cartagena (yellow card suspension), so he’ll have missed both games against Atlanta this season due to suspensions. The Lions will also be without Mason Stajduhar (lower leg), but everyone else is off the team’s availability report. Atlanta will be without Edwin Mosquera (knee) and Quentin Westberg (concussion protocol).