ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) — Atlanta United will renew its rivalry with Orlando City in the U.S. Open Cup quarterfinals.
The Five Stripes will play Orlando in the Open Cup on either May 16 or 20, just a few days after their league match on May 16.
Atlanta and Orlando have established a fierce rivalry since Atlanta’s arrival to MLS in 2017. The tensions began immediately after Atlanta put up a billboard in the Orlando area claiming “we’re coming to conquer.”
The billboard was called “incredibly dumb” by some Orlando media and graffiti-tagged with the words “ILF, we are here.” ILF referred to Iron Lions Firm, one of Orlando’s recognized supporter groups.
The rivalry has even resulted in arrests and thefts.
Even as closer teams have emerged in Nashville and Miami, the rivalry between Atlanta and Orlando remains.
If Atlanta United wins, it would be unable to host an Open Cup semifinal at Mercedes-Benz Stadium due to the World Cup.
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