Despite a lackluster performance, Atlanta United rescued a point against Orlando City with a late equalizer from Tyler Wolff.
Atlanta United Starting XI (4-2-3-1)
Brad Guzan, Ronald Hernández, Miles Robinson, Juanjo Purata, Andrew Gutman, Santiago Sosa, Matheus Rossetto, Thiago Almada, Brooks Lennon, Derrick Etienne Jr., Giorgos Giakoumakis
Orlando City SC Starting XI (4-2-3-1)
Pedro Gallese, Kyle Smith, Antônio Carlos, Robin Jansson, Rafael Santos, César Araújo, Wilder Cartagena, Iván Angulo, Mauricio Pereyra, Facundo Torres, Ercan Kara
Lineup Notes
Weeks earlier than expected, Brad Guzan returned from injury and made his way straight into the lineup. Brooks Lennon returned to the lineup in an advanced role. Santiago Sosa proved healthy enough to start the match as did Giorgos Giakoumakis.
First Half
Atlanta United have frequently gotten off to quick starts this season, but it was Orlando City who controlled the game in the opening 16 minutes. Through 16 minutes, they enjoyed a majority of the possession. Atlanta were unable to enjoy any stretches of possession and rarely entered the Orlando half of the field.
Atlanta did well to defend their goal and didn’t allow a shot through the first 16 minutes. Orlando’s first shot came from a free kick. Mauricio Pereyra dinked a right footed pass into the box that was met with a header by Antônio Carlos. Carlos’ made good contact, but his effort bounced harmlessly into the grasp of Brad Guzan.
After that opening period under pressure, Atlanta settled into the game and began to progress up the pitch. The possession disparity lessened, and Atlanta created a few set piece opportunities.
Orlando quickly regained control of the match and capitalized on that control. Iván Angulo started the play dribbling into the box before finding Pereyra in space at the top of the box. He played a pass into Ercan Kara who took a heavy touch that found its way to Facundo Torres. Torres had his shot blocked and the ball bounced around loose in the box. It was Kyle Smith who found himself in the right place at the right time to apply the final touch. He made no mistake with his shot as he put it between Guzan’s legs to open the scoring in favor of the hosts (0-1 Smith 30′).
After the opening goal, Atlanta struggled to progress forward. Their best chance came from a set piece, but Juanjo Purata blazed his header over the bar. Not by lack of effort, Orlando was also unable to break down Atlanta and score a second goal.
Second Half
The second half began extremely physically with few fouls called by referee Allen Chapman. Atlanta opened with much more urgency with a shot from Ronald Hernandez, but his effort was blocked.
Orlando responded by traversing up the field and firing a few shots of their own that caused minimal worry to Guzan.
Looking to stake a footing in the second half, Orlando coach Oscar Pareja turned to DP winger Martin Ojeda in place of Pereyra. Similarly, Gonzalo Pineda made a double substitution that saw Miguel Berry and Machop Chol enter the match in place of Hernandez and Brooks Lennon.
Minutes later, Pareja made a second swap seeing Duncan McGuire enter in place of Kara. McGuire had four goals from nine shots entering the match.
After settling into the match, Ojeda proved effective with a shot that forced a strong save from Guzan. Guzan’s vision was blocked by traffic in front of the goal, but a quick reaction and a strong hand kept the deficit at one goal.
As the ball went out for a corner, Ajani Fortune and Tyler Wolff entered the match in place of Santiago Sosa and Derrick Etienne. Ojeda delivered the resulting corner. It was met by Carlos, but his header sailed over the goal.
Atlanta responded quickly with their best chance of the game. Thiago Almada did well to work himself into space and play a slashing ball to Berry. After a few touches, Berry dragged his shot wide of the goal.
86 minutes into the match, Atlanta had their first shot on target courtesy of Wolff. The shot also forced the first save of the match from Pedro Gallese, which was put out for a corner.
Atlanta has been dangerous all season from set pieces. They lead the lead in set piece goals. The initial cross was dealt with by Orlando, but the second ball was picked up by Rossetto and fired low on goal. Gallese did well to make a save but Wolff was present at the back post to fire home the rebound into the roof of the net (1-1 Wolff 87′).
Atlanta surged forward in search of a match winning goal. A turnover in midfield by Orlando was recovered by Chol who played it forward to Almada followed by a darting run forward. Similar to the Berry chance, Almada played it through to Chol, but Chol’s shot was pushed wide.
Despite each team’s best efforts, the match ended at 1-1 and the points were shared. Atlanta United were the beneficiary of a late goal to steal a point from Orlando City.
Atlanta will return home to Mercedes-Benz Stadium to face New England Revolution in a midweek contest, 5/31 before traveling to face defending champion LAFC, 6/7. They will face a quick turnaround after the cross-country trip with a home match against D.C. United, 6/10.
Matchday 15: Atlanta United 1 (Wolff 87′) – Orlando City 1 (Smith 30‘)
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