Match preview: Finding personality as Orlando comes to the A

One of the most valuable things any soccer team can have is a personality. There are a lot of different ways to win, but sticking to your identity is typically one of the best. 

In recent matches Atlanta United is finding the most success as fighters. Having picked up 10 points in their last five matches, the 5-Stripes are beginning to right the ship after a first half of the season they want to wash away. And they're doing it by fighting, staying in matches despite conceding and keeping the faith. 

Wednesday night, they'll have a battle with rivalry history on their hands, and their tenacity will be tested. Atlanta United kicks off against Orlando City SC at 7:30 p.m. ET tonight. You can grab tickets to see the 5-Stripes host the Lions here. 

New additions joining the fight

A 2-2 draw that went down to the very last seconds in Miami was a result that gave Atlanta United some energy. Head coach Tata Martino was still a realist in Tuesday's media availability, saying the 5-Stripes are running out of matches where they can drop points if a playoff push is in the cards. But at Nu Stadium Saturday night, his side fought back from two deficits to earn a point against a top Eastern Conference side. 

Breel Embolo was a massive factor, drawing and scoring the tying penalty and being a physical menace for Miami defenders. 

"He had a big presence," Martino said in Spanish. "He set up a chance for Alexey [Miranchuk], he drew a penalty, and then he converted his own penalty. In the end, it was a very valuable result for us, even though there was risk involved in having him on the field for the full 90."

Martino spent a significant portion of his press conference Tuesday insisting that the best version of the new signings — like Embolo, Paulo Díaz, Júnior Alonso, Mauricio Amaro and Giuliano Galoppo — will come with time. Though Galoppo is still working through his visa process, the rest have now all made their debuts for the 5-Stripes. 

Amaro's entrance in the 56th minute against Miami was also a bright spot. The Uruguayan midfielder was swift with the ball at his feet and quick to win it back. But as Lucas Hoyos pointed out Tuesday, it's not just the entrance of new faces but also their fit within the existing system that's allowing Atlanta United to compete at a higher level. 

"Mauricio, [even] with the few trainings he's had, showed a lot of personality in the minutes that he played," Hoyos said in Spanish. "I think that all the guys that arrived and the guys that are here can help us to have this personality, this character on the pitch."

Orlando's options and Atlanta's counters

Atlanta United will have yet another marquee rivalry matchup reach its third installment this year. They'll look to learn from their loss to Charlotte at the end of August when they take on Orlando for a third time. 

Their focus lies on the entire side, but there's no doubt the arrival of former Atlético Madrid and FC Barcelona man Antoine Griezmann is something to focus on. The Frenchman has 8 goal contributions in as many matches since joining the Lions over the summer. 

Orlando also brings other proven veterans in Martín Ojeda and young talents like Justin Ellis to the table in attack. The Florida side has four wins in MLS play since the return from the World Cup, a turnaround from their early-season form. 

"Orlando is a good team, they're having a great second half of the year," Hoyos said. "Griezmann is a player everyone knows you can't give him any space. But I also think the way Orlando functions is good, beyond the players. Our players are also important, so we have to take precautions. We'll try to play our game." ​

That effort, dictating the match as Atlanta United wants to, will certainly be impacted by Embolo. He'll make his home debut in front of the 17s after being unveiled to them during the 5-Stripes' 2-1 win over Sporting Kansas City August 23. 

His goal from the penalty spot Saturday was far from his only impact. He has real gravity up front, as Martino explained. 

"What happens with center forwards who have the characteristics and stature that Breel has is that they demand a lot of attention from the opposition’s center backs," Martino said. "... Then other things begin to happen. When he drops deep, he drags a defender with him and that opens space for a winger to attack into and get a goalscoring chance."

Goals could be in order, as the Lions come in having conceded the second-most goals in MLS with 54. Wednesday night will be a crucial result looking back at the end of the season, as Orlando sits in eighth place, six points ahead of Atlanta United and holding a Wild Card spot for the 2026 Audi MLS Cup Playoffs. 

"Being able to have more time together, and also the players coming in and raising the level of competition in the team is helping," Hoyos said ."That's what teams are ultimately looking for, that competition."