MLS Orlando City SC

Orlando City Travels to Face Atlanta United FC on Friday

Published on September 9, 2021 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Orlando City SC News Release


ORLANDO, Fla. - Orlando City SC (10-4-8, 38 points) travels to take on neighbors to the north Atlanta United FC (6-7-9, 27 points) on Friday, Sept. 10 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. ET.

The match will be nationally telecast on FS1 and Fox Deportes, while being transmitted on 96.9 The Game in English and Acción 97.9FM, 810AM in Spanish.

"Atlanta as our next rival, going away and going to play at their place represents another good challenge for us in this run towards making the playoffs. This a situation where we're coming from a positive result against Columbus and obviously trying to analyze this rival that has changed its head coach and their ideas," Head Coach Oscar Pareja said. "Our preparation has been intense, trying to reinforce our concepts and try to keep our manners, but at the same time trying to read Atlanta. Our team is going in with a positive mentality as we get ready for this match."

The Lions will look to extend their current seven-game unbeaten run on Friday night while also looking to add to their six-game stretch of results against the opposition. City currently holds a 3-0-3 record against The Five Stripes dating back to the 2020 MLS campaign, the last matchup resulting in a 3-2 come-from-behind victory for the Club.

City comes into Friday's match after defeating the Columbus Crew this past Saturday night at Exploria Stadium, taking a 3-2 victory from the match. First-half finishes from Daryl Dike and Silvester van der Water gave the Lions the lead going into the halftime break, but the Crew answered with two goals within 10 minutes of the start of the second half to level. The home side would regain the lead once more however, with Júnior Urso netting the eventual game-winner in the 69th minute.

Nani leads the Lions with nine goals this season, followed by Benji Michel with four. The Lions' captain sits at second on the side in assists with seven in total, one shy of the leader Mauricio Pereyra with eight.

Atlanta enters the fixture following a week off from match play, last taking the field on Aug. 28 in a 2-0 home defeat to Nashville SC. Second-half finishes from Daniel ‚¬â€¹ ‚¬â€¹Ríos and Randall Leal gave the road side the victory on the afternoon, with Joe Willis tallying a pair of saves to keep The Five Stripes scoreless.

Marcelino Moreno leads Atlanta with seven goals this season, followed by Josef Martínez with six. Ezequiel Barco and Brooks Lennon hold the team high in assists, each with four to their credit this campaign.

Following Friday's contest, the Lions will return home to Exploria Stadium to host CF Montréal on Wednesday, Sept. 15 in a 7:30 p.m. ET kickoff. Tickets are available here or by calling (855) ORL-CITY.

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