Atlanta scouts identify Orlando City SC offensive scheme
• Atlanta United executed master scouting prior to match
• Game strategy focused on shutting down attack
Atlanta United devoted hours to scouting Orlando City SC to end the season. They pinpointed the match strategy they have to oppose.
The match strategy used by Orlando City SC is the South American Attack (or Offense) as identified by Atlanta United scouts recently. Everyone knew how Orlando turned around a poor start and finally clinched the playoffs.
The Lions used a game strategy that emphasized control of space, driven by aggression. In studies comparing the South American Offense with typical European match schemes, these qualities of control and aggression were evident in the South American style.
South American teams also attempt more dribbles and work to control the middle of the field. That means that Orlando City has modified this typical attack.
Like European squads, Orlando attempts to move their attack along the left more often. They average 6.9 dribbles per match.
Head Coach Oscar Pareja emphasizes taking control of those areas. He has also explained the importance of aggression and initiative – but these qualities are not the same as recklessness. Red cards won’t get Orlando City where the players and coaches want to go.
In MLS, Orlando has averaged 15.1 tackles per match and 9.9 fouls. By the metric of yellow cards, the most aggressive player is midfielder Cesar Araujo. He has 11 yellow cards but so far he has managed to avoid any red ones through 34 games.
That effort has brought Orlando to fourth place in the MLS Eastern Conference with a record of 15-12-7. They gathered 52 points and a Goal Differential of nine.
Atlanta Scuots determined that to shut down the Orlando City version of the South American Offense, they must focus on the key players in that attack.
They identified those players as Ramiro Enrique and Facundo Torres. Leading the effort is a strong goalkeeper. Atlanta United has that in Brad Guzan, who has collected eight clean sheets against Orlando in his career.
Then to get far in the MLS post-season, Orlando will have to free up Enrique and Torres. After getting the lead, the squad has a great keeper themselves in Pedro Gallese, with eight clean sheets of this own just this season.
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