Match Preview

Match Preview: Atlanta United hosts Orlando City SC for Resurgens Kit debut

Match Preview Atlanta United Orlando City SC March 17

First Touches

Match Details

  • Date: Sunday, March 17
  • Kickoff time: 7:00 p.m.
  • Location: Mercedes-Benz Stadium
  • Celebrating: Resurgens Kit, St. Patrick's Day

How to watch, listen and live stream Atlanta United vs. Orlando City SC

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Recent Form

Atlanta United has gotten off to a good start in 2024. One goal was the difference in a result on the road to the defending MLS Cup Champions, Columbus Crew, a tall order for the first matchday of the MLS season. Atlanta United used the momentum they found in the second half in Columbus to power them to a strong 4-1 win last weekend in the club's home opener, a match that had the third-highest attendance in the soccer world. Meanwhile, not much is going Orlando City's way so far in 2024. The club is winless in MLS play, including a 5-0 loss to Inter Miami CF. And Tuesday night Orlando was knocked out of the Concacaf Champions Cup by Tigres UANL for the second straight year.

Series History and Last Meeting

The history between these two rivals goes way back, and it's always an intense environment when they meet. The last time they faced off at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, the visitors came out on top and Orlando City SC snatched three points away from Atlanta United. The 5-Stripes looked a lot different in that match -- Giorgos Giakoumakis came on as a late substitute and the team had yet to acquire Tristan Muyumba, Xande Silva, and Saba Lobjanidze to help in the attack. Sunday's matchup will have a different look no doubt as the 'spicy' series continues.

Players to Watch

Giorgos Giakoumakis (Atlanta United) - Who else to watch other than the reigning MLS Player of the Matchday? Giakoumakis kicked off his Golden Boot campaign in a big way last weekend in the team's home opener against New England Revolution. The Greek striker scored a perfect hat trick, his first hat trick in MLS, and became the fifth player in league history to record 20 career goals in under 2,000 career minutes. Look for Atlanta United's Tank to continue his scoring streak Sunday against the MLS leader in goals allowed.

Duncan McGuire (Orlando City SC) - The only name on the score sheet for the Lions in MLS in 2024 is 23-year-old Duncan McGuire. Both of McGuire's two goals on the season came against Minnesota, the first just 13 seconds into the match, the fastest goal scored in Orlando City history. A few other players will be looking to open their scoring accounts, including Orlando's leading scorer in 2023 Facundo Torres, but McGuire's 13 goals last season in MLS play indicates he'll require some attention from Atlanta's backline.

Atlanta United
Orlando City SC
Head coach
Gonzalo Pineda
Oscar Pareja
MLS 2024 record (W-L-T)
1-1-0
0-2-1
Eastern Conference points
3
1
Kit: colors
Resurgens Kit: Light blue, light blue
Primary: Purple, purple
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