Ronny Deila has taken responsibility for Atlanta United’s poor run of form that has seen them go winless in their last three matches, most recently suffering a crushing loss to the Philadelphia Union last weekend.

Quinn Sullivan inspired 10-man Philadelphia in a 3-0 drubbing of Atlanta at Subaru Park, picking up a goal and an assist. Danley Jean Jacques and Tai Baribo also got on the scoresheet.

Sullivan netted the opener just before the half-hour mark, while Jean Jacques added the second in the 50th minute, with Baribo putting the finishing touches on a comprehensive victory in the dying minutes.

Deila's side spurned some very good chances in front of goal, particularly from Aleksey Miranchuk and Saba Lobjanidze in what was a frustrating performance. Atlanta played the majority of the second half with an extra man after Jovan Lukic was sent off, but the visitors could not make their advantage count.

Speaking on the result, Deila took responsibility for the team’s fortunes and admitted that they had been underperforming.

“Of course, I’m very disappointed. I think, in the game, we have a lot of the ball, but we are not getting enough in the two boxes,” he said.

“I think we lose the ball too much in difficult situations—and easy situations—and then we get counter-attacked on.

“We are underperforming as a team and also as individuals. That's something that I have to look myself in the mirror for and take responsibility.”

Atlanta United are currently 12th in the Eastern Conference standings, with just nine points from nine games so far.

Their upcoming opponents, Orlando City, though, are not faring much better.

Orlando were held to a goalless draw by CF Montreal last time out – their third straight scoreless result, putting them seventh in the standings, level with Nashville SC on 13 points. They have now failed to score in 270 minutes.

Against Montreal, Orlando were reduced to 10 men in the 76th minute, when Rafael Santos was sent off for receiving two yellow cards.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Orlando City – Marco Pasalic

Pasalic started his MLS campaign brightly with four goals and an assist within his first five matches.

But the goals have dried up for Pasalic, who took a joint-game-high three shots against Montreal, including one shot in the box, operating at an xG of 0.11.

Atlanta United – Emmanuel Latte Lath

Atlanta failed to find the net in their draw with Philadelphia despite seeing 22 touches in the Union’s box over the 90 minutes.

36% of those touches (eight) came from Latte Lath, who also had two shots inside the box and two final third entries. If Atlanta’s scoreless run is to snap, Latte Lath’s dynamism in the final third will be key.

MATCH PREDICTION: ORLANDO CITY WIN

Despite their recent form, Orlando City are favourites to win Saturday's clash. They are the second team in MLS history to play out three straight scoreless draws within a single regular season (Colorado in 2015), though they remain unbeaten in six straight matches.

In fact, this is the first time Orlando have failed to score in three straight regular-season matches since a five-match run in 2018.

But they will be expected to make home advantage count against a downtrodden Atlanta side, who have suffered back-to-back defeats in regular-season play for the first time since a three-match losing run last July.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Orlando City – 57.4%

Draw – 22.1%

Atlanta United – 20.5%