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Atlanta United Vs Orlando City: 3 players to watch – U.S. Open Cup on the line

By Josh Bouland

ATLANTA, GA AUGUST 03: Atlanta's Josef Martinez (7) lays on the ground after missing a shot during the MLS match between LA Galaxy and Atlanta United FC on August 3rd, 2019 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA. (Photo by Rich von Biberstein/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA AUGUST 03: Atlanta's Josef Martinez (7) lays on the ground after missing a shot during the MLS match between LA Galaxy and Atlanta United FC on August 3rd, 2019 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA. (Photo by Rich von Biberstein/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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ATLANTA, GA AUGUST 03: Atlanta’s Josef Martinez (7) looks at LA goalkeeper David Bingham (12) after an on-goal was scored during the MLS match between LA Galaxy and Atlanta United FC on August 3rd, 2019 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA. (Photo by Rich von Biberstein/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA AUGUST 03: Atlanta’s Josef Martinez (7) looks at LA goalkeeper David Bingham (12) after an on-goal was scored during the MLS match between LA Galaxy and Atlanta United FC on August 3rd, 2019 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA. (Photo by Rich von Biberstein/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

2. Josef Martinez

The King is ready to return home.

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Josef Martinez once famously said when asked why Atlanta United continue to remain unbeaten against Orlando, ‘I don’t know, to be honest. Every time we play them, they play like it’s the game of their lives and we continue to father them.’

It’s great to see Martinez so invested in playing Orlando, especially when they might not be Atlanta’s top rival (or even close, actually). Regardless, he clearly likes to have fun and will be looking to score in Orlando yet again. He scored in Orlando last May on the way to a 2-1 win. Later in August, he scored his 28th and record-setting goal in another 2-1 win in Orlando. He also scored and assisted in last June’s 4-0 win in Atlanta.

Hopefully Martinez and Atlanta can continue to “father” Orlando, a team they have yet to lose to. He is currently riding a nine-game scoring streak in MLS league play, having scored 13 goals across that nine-game span. Although he won’t set a record by scoring in Tuesday night’s Open Cup semi-final, he is certainly on a hot streak and will look to continue his form with another goal (or more).

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