It’s the first time that Atlanta United and Orlando City will face off in a match, but some are already billing the two teams as rivals. Coaches and management for both teams are saying that label is jumping the gun a bit, but fans and others associated with the team seem ready roll with it.
The team did buy billboard space in Orlando for some fun trash talk ahead of the match, but Atlanta United manager Gerardo Martino says because this is the first time the teams play each other, they aren’t considered rivals. Martino says, “We will see over time if it develops into a rivalry, but today it doesn’t feel like that.”
Orlando City’s coach, Jason Kreis, agrees. He says, “I’m one (who) believes that rivalries are intrinsic, meaning they happen through experiences. It would be premature to be talking about whether or not they are our rival. We shall see, starting with the first 15 minutes of the match.”
The rivalry talk may be due in part to the proximity of the two cities. They are just a 6 hour drive apart, the closest of any two teams in the league. Officials say league expansion isn’t out of the question, in cities like Nashville and Charlotte, so that could change in the future.
Fans have taken to social media to trash talk all week ahead of the match. They seem just fine calling the teams rivals, despite this being their first meeting. Atlanta United team President Darren Eales is doing his part to encourage a win. He tweeted a photo of one of the scoreboards at the team’s future home, Mercedes Benz Stadium. The score was shown as Atlanta United 6, Orlando City 0. Eales’ text read: “Pitch side scoreboard appears to be working” (with a winking emoji).
The stadium is not quite finished yet, so the team’s home remains at Georgia Tech’s Bobby Dodd Stadium for now. Atlanta United and Orlando City will meet there next week. The first face off between the teams is tonight at 7pm in Orlando.