Orlando City (3-2-4, 13 points) vs Atlanta United (2-4-3, 9 points)
When: Saturday, 7:15 p.m.
Where: Inter&Co Stadium, Orlando, Fla.
TV: MLS Season Pass on Apple TV (subscription required), FOX, FOX Deportes
Radio: AM 810 Fox Sports Radio, (English), Mega 97.1 (Spanish)
Here are five storylines to watch on Saturday as the Lions host the Five Stripes:
Welcoming Old Enemies
The last time these two sides met, Orlando City SC brought Atlanta United FC’s Audi 2024 MLS Cup Playoffs run to an end last November, bringing down the Five Stripes in a 1-0 performance at Inter&Co Stadium that sent the Lions to their first-ever appearance in the Eastern Conference Finals. Forward Ramiro Enrique scored the game-winning goal for Orlando City, sending the Club onto the next round to take on the Red Bulls. Goalkeeper Pedro Gallese made three saves for the Lions on the afternoon to keep the Five Stripes off the board.
Keeping it Clean
With a scoreless draw last weekend against CF Montréal at Stade Saputo, the Lions have now kept three consecutive clean sheets and will look to record their fourth straight shutout for the first time in Club history as they welcome rivals Atlanta United to Inter&Co Stadium. Orlando City is on a 346-minute shutout streak, the third longest in Club history. The current Orlando City record for consecutive minutes without conceding a goal is 364, set mostly during the Audi 2023 MLS Cup Playoffs, meaning the Lions would break the record if they can keep Atlanta off the board for the first 19 minutes on Saturday.
Pulpo in Purple
Orlando City SC goalkeeper Pedro Gallese has been on a fantastic run of form lately, playing a key role in the Lions’ three consecutive clean sheets and making six saves in the most recent result against Montréal, tying his season high. “El Pulpo” has conceded just three times in his last five appearances for the Lions, making 20 saves on 23 shots on target for an .870 save percentage across that same span. The Peruvian national team captain went eight for 10 in two matches on international duty in March as well. With his most recent clean sheet, Gallese is up to 51 across all competitions in his Orlando City career.
Young Lions on Top
It was a massive weekend for the Orlando City Academy last weekend, as the U18 side won this year’s Generation adidas Cup at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida. 16-year-old First Team midfielder Gustavo Caraballo scored a brace in a 2-1 extra-time win over the Colorado Rapids in the final of the U18 Championship bracket, notching the first goal in the third minute before a 75th-minute winner to claim the title for the U18s. Caraballo was named MVP for the tournament in the U18 age group, while Orlando City B forward Justin Ellis scored six goals to take the Golden Boot in the same age group.
Developing Success
The Orlando City Academy didn’t just see success on the field in Bradenton last weekend, but also on the pitch at Stade Saputo in the Lions’ scoreless draw with CF Montréal. 19-year-old Orlando City Academy product Zakaria Taifi made his competitive First Team debut, entering the match against Montréal as a second-half substitute. Taifi first joined the Lions’ academy as a member of the U9 team almost 10 years ago, served as captain of the team that won the U17 MLS NEXT Cup in 2021 and has been a key player for Orlando City B in MLS NEXT Pro in recent years.
Milestone Tracker:
- Martín Ojeda (26) is one helper away from taking over second place all-time for most assists in Club history across all competitions, currently tied with former captain Nani.
- Duncan McGuire (26) sits fourth on Orlando City’s all-time scoring list and is five goals away from tying former captain Nani (31) across all competitions for third.
- A win or draw would extend the Lions’ current unbeaten streak to seven matches.
