2019 MLS Regular Season – Week 25
Orlando City SC vs. Atlanta United
Exploria Stadium – Orlando
August 23 – 8:00 PM ET
TV: ESPN, TVAS
STREAMING: MLS LIVE on DAZN in Canada
Orlando City SC seek a first win over Atlanta United, while the defending MLS Cup champions are trying to fend off challengers to remain atop the Eastern Conference when MLS Heineken® Rivalry Week resumes Friday night at Exploria Stadium.
Orlando City SC (9-11-7) are level on points with seventh-place Montreal, but sit just below the playoff line on a tiebreak. The Lions squandered a chance to make that jump last Saturday night, as they conceded late to settle for a 1-1 draw against Minnesota United at Allianz Field. Nani put the visitors in front with a 70th-minute penalty kick, but Abu Danladi scored the stoppage-time equalizer for the Loons. Though disappointing, the draw extends Orlando's unbeaten streak to four consecutive matches.
Atlanta United (14-9-3) moved atop the East with a 2-0 win last Sunday night at Providence Park over the Portland Timbers. Leandro Gonzalez Pirez slammed home his first goal in nearly a year following a failed clearance from a Five Stripes corner kick in the 14th minute to open the scoring. In the opening moments of the second half, Julian Gressel broke two Portland lines with a sumptuous through ball for Josef Martinez. He needed just one touch to set up a brilliant curling shot from outside the box for his 21st tally of the year.
This is the club's second regular-season contest of 2019, with the Five Stripes winning, 1-0, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium May 12 on a Pity Martinez goal in the 14th minute. Atlanta also beat Orlando, 2-0, in the U.S. Open Cup semifinals at Exploria, with Eric Remedi and Emerson Hyndman scoring a goal in each half.
Orlando vs. Atlanta
Friday, August 23 at 8:00 PM ET
Exploria Stadium
Orlando City SC
- Injury Report:
- OUT: Joao Moutinho (D) - hamstring injury
- OUT: Ruan (D) - hamstring injury
- Suspended: None
- Suspended after next caution: None
- International duty: None
Atlanta United
- Injury Report:
- OUT: Brek Shea (D) - knee injury
- OUT: Franco Escobar (D) - right upper leg injury
- QUESTIONABLE: Eric Remedi (M) - right hip injury
- Suspended: None
- Suspended after next caution: Mo Adams (M)
- International duty: None
Series Matchup at Orlando City SC
- Orlando City SC: 0 wins, 2 goals
- Atlanta United: 3 wins, 5 goals
- 0 draws
Officials
- Referee: Nima Saghafi
- Assistant Referees: Kathryn Nesbitt, Corey Parker
- 4th Official: Kevin Broadley
- VAR: Jose Carlos Rivero
