Orlando City vs. Atlas FC: Three Keys to Victory

Orlando City’s Leagues Cup campaign didn’t get off to the start we hoped it would, but fortunately OCSC has a chance to get things back on the right track Saturday with a match against Atlas. That means it’s time to break down three key points that will give the Lions a good shot at victory if they can execute them properly.

Improve Chance Creation

One of the biggest things that hampered Orlando City in Wednesday’s draw with Pumas was a simple lack of chances. The Lions only took seven shots on the night, and Rodrigo Schlegel’s fifth-minute goal was the only one of them that was on target. That sort of offensive output is rarely going to be good enough against a Liga MX side, even one like Pumas that currently sits 15th in the 18-team table after losing two of its first three games in the Apertura. OCSC simply can’t afford a repeat of those offensive numbers, or rather, that lack of offensive numbers. There’s always going to be an element of danger in getting numbers forward into the attack, but considering how important it is to get all three points in this game, it’s a risk that the Lions need to take.

Resist the Urge to Bunker

If the Lions manage to create a lot of chances, and take the lead as a result, they simply can’t afford to do the thing that has cost them three straight leads at home. We’ve seen it in MLS play and now Leagues Cup, as OCSC took a risk-averse, defense-heavy approach by bunkering and trying to see out the game after taking an early lead. By the time Orlando finally gave up the equalizer, heavy-hitting attackers like Marco Pasalic were already off the field, and the good guys had a difficult time getting into an offensive rhythm to try to find a winner. Hindsight is of course 20/20, but it’s hard not to feel like Orlando will be better served by maintaining an aggressive approach if it can take the lead, rather by packing things in and inviting pressure. Trying to play on the counter is one thing, but becoming almost completely averse to attacking is another.

Defend Well in Wide Areas

Atlas might have lost its opening Leagues Cup match to Inter Miami, but it more than held its own, and it took a 96th-minute winner for the Herons to snatch all three points. The Mexican side was dangerous throughout, taking 15 shots and putting seven of them on target despite only having 45% possession. A big part of that was due to the work Los Rojinegros did in wide areas. Right winger Arturo Gonzalez created three chances, while left winger Eduardo Aguirre and right wingback Gustavo Ferrareis each created two. Their lone goal of the match came from halftime substitute Rivaldo Lozano, who came on to play the left wingback position and found an equalizer in the 80th minute. All night long Atlas made a point of getting the ball into wide areas, stretching the field, and either playing in dangerous crosses, or taking on defenders in 1-v-1 situations and trying to get into the box. Orlando’s fullbacks are going to have their work cut out for them, and they need to turn in strong performances.

There you have it. If the Lions can create chances, keep their feet on the gas, and defend well in wide areas, they’ve got a good chance of picking up all three points against a tough Atlas side. Vamos Orlando!