KISSIMMEE, Fla. — It's a situation that you probably won't encounter outside of the playoffs: Orlando City SC taking on the same opponent twice in the span of four days.
The Lions will host Atlanta United in MLS action Saturday night at Inter&Co Stadium, and then do it all again Tuesday in the 2026 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Quarterfinals. Since preparation for the Five Stripes will look similar enough for both games, for now, the focus is squarely on Saturday's match.
"The league game is super important, as is the Open Cup also, but we need all the points that we can get heading into the World Cup break," defender and Captain Robin Jansson said at Orlando Health Training Ground at Osceola Heritage Park this morning. "We just have to focus on this one first, the Saturday game."
The Lions come in off an encouraging midweek win over the Philadelphia Union, a much-needed result at home with just two MLS matches to play before the break. While the result was a positive one, the defensive issues that plagued the team are still front of mind.
"We have to address some things within the group and things we have to do better," Jansson said. "We were up 3-1, and we're not happy at all to let two goals in as easily as they happened. But, we're also happy that we managed to turn that momentum around to get the three points."
The defensive theme has been a recurring topic throughout this stretch of the season. Since Jansson has come back into the fold after missing the first six matches of the season, there has been marked improvement in the play of the defense. However, there is still much more room to grow for the team.
"For us, it's during 90 minutes to stay compact and find the first clean sheet of the year," Jansson said. "Defensively, we have to sit together for the whole 90 minutes. What I said also earlier, with the two goals we conceded that easily in the last game, that's something we have to get rid of. We have to have our order, whether in transition or to protect our own goal."
Now the Lions look to put those practices into play against an Atlanta side that is also looking for consistency. Tata Martino, Atlanta's original coach in their inaugural season, returned to the club this year, as the Five Stripes look to find that early success he was known for. Emmanuel Latte Lath and Miguel Almirón, the team's big-money signings, will be ones to watch for the Lions defense this weekend.Â
"We know them, we respect them very much," Interim Head Coach MartÃn Perelman said on Atlanta, "We know they have talented players, and they like to be protagonists with the ball. This is what everybody knows. Then we do our analysis, we focus on our team, our ways, our game plan, and from there we go."
With this match having the importance that is has for the Lions, adding the rivalry element elevates Saturday's matchup.
"That's the type of game you love to play," Jansson said. "Hopefully a lot of people in our house, and then also the attention that comes with these local games. It brings something extra to your body."
Kickoff at Inter&Co Stadium is set for Saturday at 7:30 p.m. ET, with the match available on Apple TV.
