The first meeting between the MLS-contrived rivals is Friday. This is also the first in a home-away series between the two clubs to welcome them back from the Gold Cup break. Currently, Atlanta United (9-7-3) sits in fourth place in the Eastern Conference on 30 points. Orlando (8-7-5) is in sixth with 29 points. To say this match means something would be an understatement. While Atlanta fans are looking for our side to prove they are a legitimate contender, Orlando fans seem to be concerned with making this thing an actual rivalry. Why? I don't know. We aren't claiming them as a Southern city, but they sure do hate us for some reason. Orlando has had a rough go as of late, with one win in all competitions since the calendar flipped to June. The Lions will be without their top striker, Cyle Larin, who is on international duty. On the other hand, Atlanta is riding a three-match win streak and will debut USMNMT keeper Brad Guzan for the first time this season. This match will come down to goals. Both teams have shown their ability to concede goals (Atlanta with 27, Orlando with 29), but Atlanta has tallied 39 goals this season, four times scoring more than four goals in a match. Per MLS: Orlando Suspended: None Suspended next caution: Jose Aja Int’l Duty: FW Cyle Larin (Canada) Injury Report: OUT: MF Rafael Ramos (hamstring 7/10, out 4 weeks). QUESTIONABLE: Carlos Rivas (ankle) Atlanta Suspended: None Suspended next caution: none Int’l Duty: FW Romario Williams (Jamaica) Injury Report: OUT: FW Jacob Peterson (lower leg), FW Kenwyne Jones (knee), GK Alec Kann (left quad) Who starts? Score predictions? Good trash talk against Orlando?
The absence of Larin will be a strong factor, if only because it forces Orlando to play a different style of attack that, thus far, has proven less effective. The good thing for them, however, is that they've had an extra week to prep for this match and prepare for that absence. For them the break came at a good time, I think, as they look to right their ship. Expect The Pride to be in full voice. I'm fearful of Atlanta getting a slow start. Last night's MLS matches showed several teams crawling out of the gate and paying the price for that apathy or lack of focus, and I can't help but feel AU might do likewise. Their road form hasn't been exceptional and I'm unsure if the past week has contributed to team building or saw folks take a mini vacation. Like most AU matches I think this will all hinge on the central defensive work. OCSC doesn't have the players to boss the midfield like we've seen in Chicago and NYC, but I assume they will run a lot through Kaka as a foil and hope he can feed open players elsewhere. If Atlanta can keep Orlando out wide and press upfield quickly and often then that should stifle the Lions' plan A approach. Execution is another matter, however. Where are you getting this sense but I'm finding it the opposite. Sure, there may be an occasional person offer such but I'm not finding it from a lot of folks here and their press is pretty muted about it save for the same canned league promotional material. At least, of what I've read thus far. They consider NYCFC as sort of a rival due to entering the league together and the classic NY-vs-FL thing, and they'll surely go after Miami (and possibly Tampa) when called upon. Otherwise the fans I've met are like us - Just let it happen naturally.
The club's social media accounts have been pushing the rivalry hard and some of their "ultras" have also been very hateful toward our SGs and the club. So that's all I got.
It was suggested this week he would. His interview on XM with Jason Davis' implied he's been practicing with the squad and will be available, so I would assume so. Depending on the measure many folks (myself included) tend to think Atlanta is no longer "southern," either. It's blessedly less redneck than the rest of SEC territory, to be sure.
Yeah, but Georgia is definitely Southern. And Atlanta has been driving (pulling, forcing) Southern culture since the late 70s. At least we don't wear jorts.
Thank goodness the break is over and we're back to playing games. Unfortunate to see Josef not playing tonight (foot contusion / day to day). Guess we're trying to even the playing field with Larin away
Hurt his foot. day to day. We dont look crisp so far. Bossing the ball as Orlando seems content to bunker in and play for the counter. Need a little inspiration from someone and that right soon
Ugly, ugly, ugly, but in the end 3 points look oh so pretty. Waaaay too long on the ball, but then so many errant passes, as well. Guzan easily MOTM for AU, for me. Villalba had a wonderstrike, but sadly little else. Walkes with poor crossing tonight. Hope Martinez can play next week.
Why was OCFC's medic looking at Asad? Or am I completely mistaken? Just got home and kinda FF'd thru parts of the second half (I saw the first before I left.
I want to have a greater problem with a doctor associated with another team who has no baseline for the opposition players having the chance to diagnose a player, but Atlanta appears to want to be part of some sort of negligence case. Asad was kicked in the head. He now has a history of concussions and the team not doing due diligence afterward. The trainer who came on the field did not appear to go through the proper protocols and routines when he was on the field. He didn't even make sure Asad took his time rising to his feet. It appeared the most he did was have him follow his finger when he was on the sideline. It's 2017. That's negligent.
It's nice having expectations. Watching last night I was getting increasingly frustrated with the performance. Sloppy overall and our final ball/shot was atrocious. Not sure we deserved all of the points but a wonder strike and top class goalkeeping made it so. But an evening's passing allows me a bit of perspective. Didn't bring our A-game. On the road. Charged environment. Facing a playoff level team and not only came back with points but came back with all of them. If we have the steel to steal points on top of our explosive offensive potential it further deepens my expectations and makes me excited to not only make the post season but to do well in them
Took solid contact with a boot to his head. Believe this is his second such incident for Asad this season. As far as the badge on the jacket offering help? Don't really care as long as the kid gets attention. I have no idea what the league's concussion protocol is. Is the home team/league required to keep a specialist on the sidelines? I'm not going to speculate on why the medical staffs were working together but glad they were
Monday mornings suck...but watching Tito's goal again was a nice little shot of energy. That one is going to go down in AUFC lore, in my opinion, similar to Asad's first goal in club history. Still buzzin thinking about stealing three points from under the paws of the Lions. PS- Guzan up for SOTW https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2017/07/24/vote-save-week-week-20#
I was at the game. Orlando fans were atrocious. We had fans punched, we had smoke bombs thrown at us, and one of their fans threw a beer at me. Leaving there with three points was so gratifying.
The first picture is before kickoff and the second picture is after the game. We were the only people left in the stadium because the police were holding us in place in order to allow the Orlando fans to clear out of the area.
There were definitely some empty seats but it actually filled up quite a bit once the game got going.
This is kind of my fear for our mid-week games. Hoping our public transportation situation actually helps us.