Preview: Orlando City vs. Atlanta United – Prediction, Team News, Lineups

One of the most unlikely matchups we could have expected heading into 2024 MLS Cup Playoffs will happen on Sunday as Orlando city face Atlanta United in the Eastern Conference semi-finals at Inter & Co Stadium.

The Lions advanced past Charlotte FC in the previous stage and won game three on penalties, while the Five Stripes shocked everyone by eliminating Inter Miami in the first round and claimed a 3-2 triumph in the decisive third game.

Match preview

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Just when all seemed lost, Orlando City found a lifeline in the latter stages of their must-win showdown with Charlotte, tying that game in the 12th minute of stoppage time, the latest regulation goal in club history.

They kept their cool in the shootout and converted all their penalties to advance to the second round of the play-offs for a second consecutive campaign.

Oscar Pareja‘s team now has a chance to advance to the Eastern Conference finals for the first time in club history after losing a heartbreaker at home at this stage last year to eventual champions Columbus Crew (2-0 in extra time).

Orlando enters this encounter having won seven of their previous eight competitive home games against MLS opposition, conceding a goal or fewer in each of those triumphs.

During the regular season, the Lions have had great success operating down the left, creating 9.36 goals on that side of the attacking half, according to American Soccer Analytics.

They have never lost a post-season game at home as they scored the opening goal and won their last five matches at the Inter & Co Stadium after drawing first blood.

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In an opening round full of surprises in the Eastern Conference, the biggest took place in Fort Lauderdale, where Atlanta shocked Lionel Messi and Supporters’ Shield winners Inter Miami.

More than two weeks have passed since they pulled off the biggest playoff upset in league history, with the Five Stripes now in line to reach the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time since 2019.

Rob Valentinos men have a chance on Sunday to win three consecutive MLS games for the first time all year and, including the 2024 playoffs, have suffered just one defeat in their previous seven domestic games (2-1 against Inter Miami).

If you include the playoffs, they are unbeaten in their last eight league contests, finding the back of the net multiple times.

Since replacement Gonzalo Pineda to become the interim manager, Valentino has relied on sitting deep, limiting shots and burying the few opportunities they may have going forward, with his side scoring on three of their four on-target efforts against the Herons in game three despite having only 35% of ball.

The Five Stripes were the last team to beat Orlando City at home (2-1) and won two of their previous three visits to the Inter & Co Stadium.

Orlando City MLS Playoffs form:

Orlando City form (all competitions):

Atlanta United MLS Playoffs form:

Atlanta United form (all competitions):

Team news

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Orlando City was without Mason Stajduhar last time out as he is recovering from a lower leg injury which is likely to keep him out of this match.

Facundo Torres bailed his team out with an equalizer in the closing stages of game three, setting the stage for Pedro Gallese to be the hero and stopped two Charlotte penalties before Rafael Santos sent them through by converting their fourth spot kick.

Atlanta will be without Brooks Lennon this weekend after he had surgery on his dislocated shoulder, Edwin Mosquera is being postponed due to a knee problem and Quentin Westberg is out with a head injury.

Jamal Thiare notched a brace in the opening half of their decisive game against Miami, with Bartosz Slisz however scored the winner 14 minutes from the end Brad Guzan was the star, making eight fantastic saves to secure the victory.

Orlando City Possible Starting Lineup:
Galician; Thorhallsson, Schlegel, Jansson, Santos; Araujo, Cartagena; Torres, Ojeda, Angulo; Enrique

Atlanta United’s possible starting line-up:
Guzan; Hernandez, Williams, Abram; Lobzhanidze, Slisz, McCarty, Muyumba, Fortune; Thiare, Miranchuk

We say: Orlando City 2-0 Atlanta United

Eliminating Lionel Messi and friends is something these Five Stripe players will remember for the rest of their lives, but it will be difficult to refocus after such an emotional triumph.

Against Orlando, they are unlikely to find as many holes at the back because the Lions are well-structured defensively, and we expect the overall balance of Pareja’s team to carry them to the conference finals.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match, please click here.

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