Pareja sees no limit to what Orlando can achieve in playoffs

Orlando City head coach Oscar Pareja is taking the playoffs one game at a time, with the Eastern Conference semifinals next, but would like to bring the MLS Cup back to Florida.

The Lions are the highest-ranked team in the East, meaning they will have home field advantage for the finals if they get past Atlanta United on Sunday.

They beat Charlotte FC in the first round and won both home games – the second on penalties – to advance, and Pareja remains hopeful his side can continue their play-off journey.

“It's okay [that the road to the final goes through Orlando]he said. 'I'm always optimistic to progress and have the advantage to play it at home and the next match.

“Anything can happen in Major League Soccer. I would like to not only advance to the conference finals, but also bring the MLS Cup here. Our responsibility is to take one game at a time, and we will be ready are.” for this one for sure.”

All in for Sunday pic.twitter.com/HoAgleAScN

— Orlando City SC (@OrlandoCitySC) November 21, 2024

Atlanta, meanwhile, pulled off perhaps one of the biggest upsets in playoff history when they eliminated MLS Cup favorites Inter Miami.

After losing the first draw, they won the next two in the series to advance, having previously been given a slim chance of making the play-offs and getting through by beating Orlando 2–1 on decider day to beat.

Before another trip to Florida, Dax McCarty outlined the ways they can make things difficult for their hosts.

“It's a nice balance,” he said. “You don't want them to have too much ball possession because then we get frustrated…

“We'll just have to be sharp in all phases of the game, in transition and possession, because if we can keep the ball away from them, they don't want that, then they get a bit frustrated.”

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Orlando city – Facundo Torres

Facundo Torres' equalizer at 101:47 in Game 3 against Charlotte FC was the third-to-last stoppage time goal in MLS history (regular season and playoffs).

It was also the second to last result-changing goal (Tom Barlow – 90'+17 for New York Red Bulls vs. San Jose Earthquakes in 2023).

Atlanta United – Jamal Thiare

Jamal Thiare's two goals in 107 seconds in the first half of Atlanta's Game 3 win over Inter Miami were the fastest a player has scored twice in a postseason game since Nicolas Mezquida scored two goals in 90 seconds for the Vancouver Whitecaps against San Jose in the 2017 playoffs.

Eight remaining…Atlanta on everything.#UniteThe404 pic.twitter.com/2Os931ALOW

— Atlanta United FC (@ATLUTD) November 19, 2024

MATCH PREDICTION: ORLANDO CITY WIN

This will be the first postseason meeting between Orlando and Atlanta. Orlando has recorded four wins in 22 all-time meetings with the Five Stripes (D7 L11), including losing its only previous knockout match 2-0 in the 2019 US Open Cup semifinals.

Orlando has lost just one of its last thirteen home games in all competitions (W8 D4, including two wins on penalties and one loss on penalties). Orlando's only home loss during that time was a 2–1 loss to Atlanta United on October 19.

Atlanta's 3–2 win at Miami in Game 3 on November 9 ended a six-game winless run in the playoffs (D1, advancing in a penalty shoot-out, L5).

It was Atlanta's second-ever road playoff win, having also defeated NYCFC on the road in the 2018 conference semifinals.

OPTA CHANCE OF WINNING

Orlando city – 55.6%

Draw – 22.9%

Atlanta United – 21.5%