Atlanta United will take on rival Orlando City SC tonight in the U.S. Open Cup semifinal. In their seven matches the two teams have played, Orlando City has never beaten the 5 Stripes with five losses and two draws.
The pressure is already on Orlando City manager James O'Connor. After four years in the league, his team hasn't even been to the playoffs.
But if a report from The Athletic this morning is true about Josef Martinez is out, the pressure level just went up.
Sources confirmed that Josef Martinez did not travel to Orlando and will miss #ATLUTD's Open Cup semifinal, and provided some detail on the nature of his injury. @FelipeCar on how the team could cope without their top scorer.https://t.co/pHPVpgzQdF
— The Athletic Soccer (@TheAthleticSCCR)
August 6, 2019 "There is extreme pressure on Orlando tonight. They're at home, their coach is on the hot seat; the pressure is on them," Voice of Atlanta United, Mike Conti, told Andy and Randy.
"If it is true that Josef is not playing tonight, I think there is even more pressure on Orlando."
Without Josef, United looks like an easily beatable team to the national media. If Orlando City loses without him, what message will that send?
