Atlanta scouts knew to watch for Orlando City SC to help in defeat | OneFootball

It’s come to an end for now, but still glows – a glimmer of hope. Set at 12 matches, Orlando City SC has the longest active unbeaten streak in MLS.

In two consecutive matches, they faced a back-five formation for part of each 90-minute contest. While uneven in the two halves, they beat the Portland Timbers 1-0. Then Atlanta United FC showed them the same formation during their match and prevailed, 3-2.

That locks their 2025 unbeaten streak at 12 matches, still leading the league.

This says more about the Atlanta organization than their performance on the field. Their scouts study Orlando City more than any other opponent. They knew where they were vulnerable, with a lot of fresh data after the Portland match and their use of the back-five.

Although the Timbers never scored, Atlanta realized they had personnel who could. They also knew when to instruct players that they could exploit chances to score and win. That came after the 70th minute when the Lions suffered a red card and had to play with 10 men.

The depth of Atlanta's scouting work on Orlando City came out late last year as the playoffs approached. Atlanta noted that they should key on Lions striker Ramiro Enrique, who, late in 2024, was instrumental in Orlando's remarkable road victory over FC Cincinnati by a score of 3-1.

It was Enrique who banked on Atlanta’s defensive error in the 32nd minute to put Orlando in the lead through the first half.

They also published their concern on multiple-goal performances by Orlando. At the time of this 2024 report, the Lions’ streak of scoring two or more goals in matches stood at seven. Through the latest 3-2 defeat by Atlanta, City has scored two or more goals in 10 matches, tied for second in MLS this season.

May 28, 2025; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta United midfielder Aleksey Miranchuk (59) fights for the ball with Orlando City midfielder Martin Ojeda (10) and forward Ivan Angulo (77) during the second half at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images | Dale Zanine-Imagn Images

So Atlanta has once again demonstrated how Orlando can most effectively score against opponents. That is when Lions players like Enrique grab a defensive mistake and beat their defense and keeper to the net.

But they also demonstrated how Orlando City SC can lose. That’s when they go down a man with a red card, as in this match. Atlanta seized that advantage and, late in the match, scored the equalizer and, in stoppage time, the winning goal.

If Orlando City SC doesn’t help, they’re much harder to beat.