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Rivalry in the making: Orlando City, Atlanta United face off for 1st time

ORLANDO, Fla. — Orlando City Soccer Club and Atlanta United Football Club will square off for the first time Friday evening in a match that many hope will be the genesis of a new rivalry between the teams.

The Orlando Police Department said that security measures -- both seen and unseen -- will be implemented to ensure fans remain safe.

Major League Soccer policy requires that a home team liaison is briefed on how many supporters of an opposing team are expected to attend a match, Orlando City officials said.

Depending on how many Atlanta United fans show up to the match, they could be required to enter a specific gate and be escorted as a group to a section away from Orlando City fans, team officials said.

Fans who seek to stand in the supporters' section must sport Orlando City attire and have a designated ticket.

Ruckus, an independent OCSC supporters club, said the group's code of conduct forbids violence and dangerous behavior.

"Atlanta United strongly condemns the use of offensive or derogatory language under any circumstances," the team said. "Insensitive or disrespectful comments are well outside the bounds of friendly competition, are harmful to the spirit of the game and have no place in our sport or our communities."

OCSC head coach Jason Kreis made an appeal to fans Wednesday.

“We hope that our fans come early, we hope that our fans are loud and we hope that our fans are very supportive of us,” he said. “I would repeat an urgent request to the fans that we need you. You're part of our family, and we need you there Friday night.”

Friday’s match at Orlando City Stadium is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. The teams will meet again a week later on July 29 at Atlanta’s Bobby Dodd Stadium.