Orlando City SC vs. Atlanta United Exploria Stadium – Orlando October 28 – 7:30 PM ET FS1 AJC.com United home page here. MLSsoccer.com preview here. ATLUTD.com preview here. OCSC preview here. Notes: - Dwyer, Pereyra, and Moutinho are listed as out for Orlando - Robinson will be withheld because of a positive Covid 19 test - Coming off their loss to Miami, but with a game in hand, Orlando sits 4th in the Eastern table, fighting to avoid the play-in round of the playoffs - Atlanta is currently averaging 8.9 shots per 90 mins, tied for 4th fewest in the league Will add more on matchday.
So, if you have the discipline that will allow you to look away from all things election related for a couple hours tonight is your chance to watch one of the last three matches for Stephen Glass to helm Atlanta United. I say this as I'm certain Saturday's display rests largely at his feet, given they had a week to prepare, a relatively full roster with which to work, and it was DC. Yeah, the players were meek but collectively that implied the motivation was lacking and the game plan not enthusiastically embraced by the players. So onward we go. Three matches left to essentially field test some players and read the tea leaves regarding who stays for '21 and what role will they play. Three matches left to throw out some abandon in the hopes of making a playoff match as the last seed. Orlando is likely looking at tonight's match as one of their best chances to solidify their playoff positioning, ensuring a home match. The sooner they can lock that up the better to rotate the roster and rest players ahead of the postseason. If I'm the Lions I start the A team tonight and seek an early knock-out punch. Especially if it's a chance to seal the postseason fate of their (to-date) nemesis. If I'm Atlanta... At this point just go all out. You need to find offense, you're only going to make the playoffs by winning out, so throw everything into the attack. I'd start Gallagher up top and Mulraney on the left, put Hyndman and Larentowicz in front of the back 4, and tell them to push forward as much as possible.
Sorry. Sidetracked while on hold with pharmacy. No Hyndman or Lennon in the starting 11. Jahn starts up front.
10' 0-0 Atlanta slight edge in possession. Game has been swift with each team creating one chance but no shots.
16' and Moreno's shot is deflected for a corner that is headed over by Jahn. Moreno is looking lively. Not a bad showing from Wycke in for Lennon.
28' and Dike scores. Against the run of play and comes off a really great pass to him just inside the box. His first touch takes a fortunate bounce to set him up for the shot.
37' and Akindele draws a save from Guzan. A min later Damm has a pair of shots blocked by his defender.
HT: 2-0 The 1st goal changed the tenor of the match. Atlanta has showed attacking intent but once Orlando broke through their energy level picked up and created more chances with their attacks. Dike is on a freakish tear this season and teams haven't yet found a way to properly mark him with one man. Most defenders his height are woefully slow, and faster defenders can't muscle up with him. What a revelation he's been.
3-0 Wycke mishandles a header into the Atlanta third, allowing Dike to beat him to the ball as it rolled deeper into Stripes' territory and pass it over to an open Akindele. That was just sloppy defending there.
92.9 guys finally realizing that we're just not good enough this year, and saying so. We haven't been good enough since beating Cincy in Week 2. 2021 and our permanent manager (and whoever he can bring now that the FO has wasted money and spots) can't get here fast enough. Orlando is beating us in front of a handful of people, playing well in a season that has no real importance, and we're about as bad as we can ever expect to be. It is what it is, but I can't complain too much.
69' sees Lennon drive into the top of the key with 4 other Stripes but before he can do anything with it he's poached from behind. Encapsulates the offense this season right there. Barco, Jahn, and Damm off. Mulraney, Torres, and Gallagher on.