Atlanta United Prepares for High-Stakes Playoff Clash with Orlando City SC
November 20, 2024Atlanta United is gearing up for a crucial playoff match against Orlando City SC on November 24, 2024, following their surprising victory over Inter Miami in the Audi 2024 MLS Playoffs.
This upcoming match marks their first playoff encounter despite having faced each other 21 times during the regular MLS season.
In their competitive history, Atlanta United has won 10 of those 21 matchups, including a significant 2-1 victory on October 19 that secured their playoff spot.
The recent international break provided Atlanta United with an additional week to prepare, although it also created a mix of fitness and recovery needs, as seven players were called up for national duty.
Defender Stian Gregersen and veteran Dax McCarty spoke to the media about the team's preparation and the importance of maintaining high training intensity during this break.
Gregersen noted a noticeable increase in confidence and energy among the players, which has been pivotal to their recent successes.
Goalkeeper Brad Guzan highlighted the team's resilience in their playoff victory against Inter Miami, showcasing their ability to overcome challenges.
Orlando City SC, the higher seed, will host the match after finishing the regular season with a record of 15 wins, 12 losses, and 7 draws.
McCarty emphasized the need for Atlanta to stay compact and sharp to counter Orlando's possession-based style of play.
The winner of this semifinal match will advance to the Eastern Conference Finals, a stage Atlanta United has not reached since 2019.
Kickoff for the match is scheduled for 3:30 PM at Inter&Co Stadium, and fans can watch via the MLS Season Pass on Apple TV.
If the match ends in a tie after regulation, two 15-minute extra time periods will be played to determine the winner.
Summary based on 3 sources