We have reached Decision Day, the final matchday of the regular season. Two spots are still up for grabs in the Eastern Conference playoff race and Atlanta United remains in contention for one of those two spots. After securing a 2-1 win against New York Red Bulls last time out, the 5-Stripes need another win and some help this weekend to qualify for the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs. Before Atlanta can look at other results around the league though, it needs to secure three points against one of the hottest teams in MLS. Orlando City SC has won three in a row and six of its last seven matches as it is battling for a top-four spot in the standings and home-field advantage in the opening round of the postseason. Let’s take a look at the Tools to the Match presented by Home Depot against Orlando City SC.
Find runners in behind Orlando’s defense
Atlanta has to win this match on Saturday night at Orlando in order to give itself a chance at qualifying for the postseason. A draw or loss would be the end of the 2024 campaign. Atlanta’s road form recently has been solid with one win and two draws in its last three road matches. And in those two draws, at New York Red Bulls and at Philadelphia, the team had opportunities to collect all three points.
One of the ways they can unbalance Orlando’s defense on Saturday is to make runs in behind Orlando’s backline and find those runners with accurate passes. The 5-Stripes have speed up top in the likes of Edwin Mosquera, Jamal Thiaré and Saba Lobjanidze. They have a playmaker in Alexey Miranchuk that can find those runners and provide dangerous passes into the key areas in attack. If Atlanta can take advantage of a couple of those moments in attack and finish them off with goals, it will give itself a shot at three road points.
Shut down Orlando’s South American attack
Orlando is coming off one of its most impressive victories last time out when they defeated FC Cincinnati 3-1 on the road. Instrumental in that victory was Ramiro Enrique, the Argentinian U-22 signing, who scored a brace and added an assist for good measure. His eight goals rank him third on the team. Uruguayan international Facundo Torres leads the team with 14 goals and six assists on the campaign. He is a tricky winger that loves to come inside and punish MLS defenses with his left foot.
Historically, Atlanta’s defense has done well against Orlando. Brad Guzan has recorded eight clean sheets against Orlando in regular season play since he joined the 5-Stripes in 2017, the most clean sheets against any single opponent for the veteran keeper. But Orlando’s attack has been on fire lately, scoring two or more goals in seven consecutive matches. If Atlanta can shut down Orlando’s attack, it will be on a good path towards three points.
Control your emotions in this rivalry matchup
Rivalry matchups always bring a little extra emotion and intensity to them. Dating back to the early days of 2017, Atlanta United vs. Orlando City has nearly always brought that rivalry feel to it. With the added implications of Decision Day on Saturday, Atlanta’s players will have to control their emotions for the entire 90 minutes. The 5-Stripes have had great success in the past at Orlando, holding a 5-2-3 (W-L-T) record in matches at Inter&Co Stadium. Atlanta needs another victory and at least two other results to go its way to qualify for the playoffs. Between CF Montréal, D.C. United and Philadelphia Union, two of those three need to lose on Decision Day to give the 5-Stripes the chance to move into a playoff spot.
Fans can tune in on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV on Saturday night at 6:00 pm ET when the action kicks off at Inter&Co Stadium in Orlando, Florida. To hear the action on radio, tune into Sports Radio 92.9 The Game (English) or La Mejor – AM 1600 (Spanish).
