Atlanta United
Atlanta United takes jab at Orlando City with new billboard
has a message for Orlando City, and if you drive near the Lions’ stadium, you can see it towering overhead.
this week, Orlando City coach Jason Kreis said rivalries are developed over time. It takes history, he said, not just close geographic proximity.
Major League Soccer newcomer Atlanta United FC clearly agrees because the club began cultivating that history in a big way, buying a billboard in downtown Orlando that reads, “Orlando, we’re coming to conquer.”
The massive taunting sign stands on the corner of Washington Street and Garland Avenue, two blocks from Orlando City Stadium. It is wrapped in red and black, Atlanta’s colors, featuring some of the team’s players and Friday’s date, when Orlando hosts its new rival in their first clash of the season.
“I hadn’t seen the billboard; I had no idea about that,” Lions coach Jason Kreis said Wednesday after training. “That seems a bit of an odd thing — very, very odd thing.
“I’m one that believes rivalries are intrinsic, meaning they hapEarlier pen through experiences. So 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 Friday night, and we’ll go from there to see if they are rivals or not.”
Atlanta United did respond to for comment.
There is some shared history between the teams already. Orlando City’s former general manager Paul McDonough is now di- not immediately requests rector of soccer operations for Atlanta United. Former Lions Mikey Ambrose, Harrison Heath — son of former Orlando City coach Adrian Heath — and Bryan Róchez all are on Atlanta’s roster as well.
Orlando City (8-7-5, 29 points) is fifth in the Eastern Conference, sliding down the standings after a disappointing stretch of games, while Atlanta (9-7-3, 30 points) has climbed into fourth.
Whoever wins Friday’s matchup will immediately get a chance for redemption as Orabout