Atlanta United will host Orlando on Saturday at a open-to-full capacity Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
The teams are trending in different directions.
While Atlanta United leads MLS with 34 points, Orlando City has lost seven consecutive, fired its coach, and fallen below the red line while wasting a six-game winning streak put together earlier this season.
Jordan Culver (@JordanCulver) covers Orlando City for the Orlando Sentinel. He answered four questions about Saturday’s game:
Q: What has gone wrong for Orlando during the seven-game losing streak?
A: Several things have gone wrong. Orlando City can't stop leaking goals in transition. Four of the matches were on the road, and that takes its toll. Dom Dwyer was injured and hasn't found his way again. The attack has been stifled. When chances have been created, they haven't been finished. There are a lot of issues, and Orlando City isn't scoring enough goals to put pressure on opposing sides.
Q: What do they do need to do turn it around and get back above the red line?
A: If Orlando City could go just one match without giving up the first goal, it would be interesting to see how things go. Constantly playing from behind means opening up and giving other teams opportunities in transition. If Orlando City could play with a lead for a few minutes, it could do wonders.
Q: How have the players reacted to the coaching change?
A: It appears they've reacted well. It looks like there's still fun being had in training, even though the coaching change hasn't produced an MLS win yet. I think the players are just ready to see who the next permanent head coach will be so they can move forward.
Q: Key matchup on Saturday and how do you think it will go?
A: Orlando City's back line vs. Atlanta United's attack. Because that's what all of Orlando City's matches have come down to. How well can the back line play? Can whoever is in back recover in the face of a midfield turnover? Is the 1v1 defending there? Can a centerback not put the ball in his own net? Orlando City's midfield has been an issue lately with bad turnovers, but Orlando City's defenders are the key here.
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