Orlando City SC have their first triumph versus Southeast rivals Atlanta United, depending on 2 first-half goals to land a 3-1 win Saturday afternoon at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Orlando made it 2-0 via Mueller in the 35th minute, as he ended up off a tic-tac-toe move that involved teammates Benji Michel and Daryl Dike. The end result, after some gap-filled Atlanta defense, was a tap-in surface for Muellers sixth objective of the season (career high).
Objectives
The Lions initially got on the scoresheet in the 13th minute, when Junior Urso strongly headed a Chris Mueller corner kick towards goal. Atlanta goalkeeper Brad Guzan mishandled the effort, and the Brazilian midfielder developed a 1-0 lead with his first MLS goal.
Atlanta didnt decrease without a battle, however, as Jurgen Damm summoned some magic on his debut. The Mexican winger shimmied complimentary in the 18-yard box and dished out a wonderful cross that Brooks Lennon headed home to make it 2-1 in the 83rd minute.
Hopes of an Atlanta resurgence were quickly squashed, when Urso required a Pity Martinez turnover in the assaulting third. After picking Pitys pocket, Urso crossed centrally to Nani for the tap-in and 3-1 lead in the 86th minute. Nani began on the bench, as did right back Ruan, while Tesho Akindele and Mauricio Pereyra both werent in the matchday squad for Orlando.
13– ORL– Junior Urso|SEE
35– ORL– Chris Mueller|SEE
83– ATL– Brooks Lennon|ENJOY
86– ORL– Nani|WATCH
3 Things
ATL: Wednesday, Sept. 2 vs. Inter Miami ( 7:00 pm ET|FS1).
MOMENT OF THE MATCH: Nanis goal in the 86th minute wasnt a moment of individual radiance or first-rate skill. But it halted Atlantas late rise and developed that Orlando would certainly beat their competitor.
Hopes of an Atlanta resurgence were rapidly compressed, when Urso required a Pity Martinez turnover in the assaulting third. After choosing Pitys pocket, Urso crossed centrally to Nani for the tap-in and 3-1 lead in the 86th minute. It wasnt all excitement for Orlando, however, as left back Joao Moutinho got stretchered off in the 78th minute after clearing a long ball out of play. From an Atlanta point of view, their unbeaten run versus the Lions is now over. The competition flames are stoked yet again, and veteran coach Oscar Pareja got the finest of interim manager Stephen Glass.
MAN OF THE MATCH: Junior Urso, by far, had his best MLS video game given that getting here in Orlando from Brazilian side Corinthians. The 31-year-old had a goal and a help, plus was everywhere in blocking the midfield.
It wasnt all excitement for Orlando, though, as left back Joao Moutinho got stretchered off in the 78th minute after clearing a long ball out of play. From an Atlanta point of view, their unbeaten run versus the Lions is now over.
ORL: Wednesday, Sept. 2 at Nashville SC ( 8:30 pm ET|MLS LIVE on ESPN+, DAZN in Canada).
Next Up
Remain on target #VamosOrlando pic.twitter.com/ANqj72482v
— Orlando City SC (@OrlandoCitySC) August 29, 2020
