2020 MLS Regular Season – Week 10
Orlando City SC vs. Atlanta United
Exploria Stadium – Orlando
September 5 – 8:00 PM ET
TV: FOX, FOX Deportes
STREAMING: MLS LIVE on DAZN in Canada
After a historic first rivalry win a week ago, Orlando City SC would like to check off a first home win over Atlanta United Saturday night at Exploria Stadium, while the Five Stripes are trying to get their mojo back following a goalless draw with Inter Miami CF Wednesday night at home.
In that win at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Junior Urso set the tone with an early goal and set up Nani for the insurance goal four minutes from full time to snap the Lions' eight-match winless streak against Atlanta.
Orlando City SC
Orlando followed that win, described as "massive" by coach Oscar Pareja, with a 1-1 draw against Nashville SC Wednesday, extending their unbeaten streak to three games. Pareja knows Atlanta, no matter how shorthanded they might be, will still push for the road victory.
“The win over Atlanta was great and massive for us, to win our first game against them in the history of our club," Pareja told reporters during a virtual press conference on Thursday. "But they didn’t give us six points, they gave us three points. We just have to have our feet on the ground, understanding we can beat any team in the league but any team can beat us. That’s the nature of this sport.”
- Updated team roster
- Injury Report:
- OUT: Dom Dwyer (F) - knee injury
- OUT: Joao Moutinho (D) - groin injury
- Suspended: None
- Suspended after next caution: Joao Moutinho (D)
- International duty: None
Atlanta United
Atlanta followed that loss with a 0-0 draw in their ever meeting with Inter Miami. But the bigger stories comes off the field with news the club have come to terms with Saudi Arabian club Al-Nassr FC for a reported $18M blockbuster transfer for Pity Martinez, who was held out of the Five Stripes gameday roster Wednesday. Additionally, there's a report claiming Sevilla are keen on signing Ezequiel Barco as well. This type of talk can unsettle a locker room, but Atlanta goalkeeper Brad Guzan said they are unfazed in this season of upheaval.
"If you want to look at the preparation standpoint, yeah, OK, you can say that he was in the team and then he’s not in the team," Guzan said. "But it is what it is. This is the business that we’re in. And I don’t think anybody looked at it saying, 'Oh crap, what are we going to do now?'"
- Updated team roster
- Injury Report:
- OUT: Josef Martinez (F) - ACL injury
- OUT: Fernando Meza (D) - knee injury
- Suspended: None
- Suspended after next caution: Franco Escobar (D)
- International duty: None
Series Matchup at Orlando City SC
- Orlando City SC: 0 wins, 2 goals
- Atlanta United: 4 wins, 6 goals
- 0 draws
Officials
- Referee: Nima Saghafi
- Assistant Referees: Eric Weisbrod, Jose da Silva
- 4th Official: Rubiel Vazquez
- VAR: Chris Penso
