Atlanta United is back at home this weekend as the 5-Stripes welcome rival Orlando City SC to Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Saturday night. It will be the final match before MLS breaks for its newest competition, Leagues Cup. Atlanta is looking to close out this portion of the season on a high note after a tough 2-1 loss on the road at New England last time out. Orlando is coming off a 4-0 road defeat at Real Salt Lake in its last match. Saturday’s clash will be an important one in the standings as Atlanta sits in sixth place with 35 points, while Orlando is just one point behind in seventh place. Let’s take a closer look at the Tools to the Match presented by The Home Depot against Orlando City SC.
Win the duels and put pressure on Orlando’s defense
Atlanta comes into this weekend with the fourth-highest duel success rate in the league at 51.7%. In the team’s last home match against Philadelphia Union, Atlanta won 55.2% of the duels and secured a 2-0 victory. Winning duels, especially in midfield, will be one of the key stats to look at this weekend.
Atlanta also needs to continue to create scoring opportunities as it did last time out against New England. The team finished with 11 shots on target, which was a season-high. Thiago Almada created a team-high six chances, while Derrick Etienne Jr. also had five chances created. Atlanta needs to finish a couple of those chances early in the match to set the tone on Saturday night.
Contain the flanks and adjust to tactical wrinkles
Orlando City features a very flexible tactical setup that will provide a challenge for Atlanta this weekend. Most of Orlando’s dangerous attacks come through Facundo Torres, who has seven goals and three assists this year. Ivan Angulo is the other winger on the team and he has contributed three goals and five assists on the campaign so far. Orlando has also gotten tremendous production from its MLS SuperDraft pick Duncan McGuire, who is tied for the team-lead with Torres with seven goals.
If Atlanta’s defense and midfield are able to solve the tactical wrinkles that Orlando will throw at them, they will have a great chance to keep the three points at home.
Have the 17s be the 12th man for the team
Saturday will mark the third match in a week for Atlanta United. Orlando didn’t have to play or travel during midweek. They will be the fresher side in this contest. Atlanta needs to feed off the energy at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. The 17s, who always show up in massive numbers, especially against Orlando, will play a crucial role in this one to help lift the energy of the entire team. There is nothing like playing at home as Atlanta is 7-1-3 (W-L-T) in home matches this season.
Fans can tune in nationally on MLS Season Pass on the Apple TV app and on FS1 on Saturday night at 7:30pm ET when the action kicks off at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. To hear the action on radio, tune into Sports Radio 92.9 The Game (English) or La Mejor – AM 1600 (Spanish).
