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In the first half, Orlando City dominated the chances in attack. In the 7th minute, Angulo was fouled outside the box and no yellow card was shown to the Atlanta United defender. Then, Facundo Torres wasted a set-piece chance. Orlando stayed compact defensively and Atlanta just waited to go on the counterattack. Kyle Smith had a phenomenal game. One of the best players on the pitch for the Lions. Hustled on every ball. Ref. Allen Chapman gave Atlanta a great set piece and also provided Antonio Carlos with a yellow card. When the play was all ball no foul. Cartagena the whole first half, perfectly neutralized Thiago Almada. The Argentinean did not generate any danger for the lions’ backline. In the 30th minute, Kyle Smith scored the 1-0 and the Wall went bezerk. It was a beautiful link-up play between Ercan Kara, Facundo Torres and finished by the accountant himself.
In the Second half, Orlando City kept their domination on Atlanta United. Most chances in attack were from the men in purple. Atlanta patiently waited for chances off a counterattack. That was their only weapon. Ivan Angulo and Facu Torres were unstoppable for Gutman and Hernandez. They both got nutmegged several times. As time passed, Coach Oscar Pareja made the right subs and the lions continued controlling the game in its entirety. The game then started becoming choppy and with unnecessary fouling by Atlanta. In the 77th minute, Martin Ojeda with a wonderful banger almost scored the 2-0 Lions. Brad Guzan came up big time with the save. Orlando City had another big chance with a phenomenal play by Facundo Torres but Guzan denied Orlando the chance to increase their lead. Orlando City played this derby with a lot of personality, they knew this game was huge for their aspirations and the fans. The team delivered big time, in my opinion. Kyle Smith, Facundo Torres (with his best game all season), as well as Rafael Santos, the whole backline delivered. Everything was fine until Atlanta leveled. As the saying goes, “goals you do not score, your rival scores on you.” Orlando had this game in their hands but they lacked the finishing touch to convert more goals. Atlanta leveled and came back into the game, their morale was boosted tremendously. Orlando City got the point at home against a lackluster Atlanta United side, there tons to improve but one of the best games collectively from the Lions.
Oscar Pareja in post-press conference: “Can’t complain about the team tonight, we generated, we created chances, this is the Orlando City I want to see.”
Orlando City will face the NYRB on June 3rd at Red Bull arena.
Vamos Orlando!
