ORLANDO, FL. – In a commanding display, Orlando City defeated Atlanta United 3-0 on Saturday night at Inter & Co Stadium, marking their fourth consecutive shutout, a new club record. The Lions, who are now unbeaten in their last seven matches, showcased a blend of solid defense and sharp attacking play, leaving Atlanta reeling after another disappointing outing.
From the outset, Atlanta United struggled to find their footing. They went into halftime trailing 1-0 after Luis Muriel converted a penalty kick in the 42nd minute, a decision that followed a VAR review. This penalty came after a foul that had the Atlanta players and fans questioning the call, but referee Marcos de Oliveira stood firm in his ruling.
Orlando City dominated the first half, controlling possession with a 60%-40% advantage and outshooting Atlanta 5-3. The Five Stripes managed to earn a few corner kicks but were unable to capitalize on any scoring opportunities. Brad Guzan, Atlanta's veteran goalkeeper, made a crucial save in the 30th minute to deny a potential go-ahead goal, but he could not stop Muriel's penalty.
As the second half commenced, Atlanta found themselves on the back foot. Just minutes after the break, Orlando City doubled their lead through Alex Freeman, who scored in the 51st minute with a low shot that beat Guzan. The home crowd erupted as the Lions continued to press forward.
Atlanta's situation worsened when Marco Pasalic added a third goal in the 63rd minute, sealing the match for Orlando. Pasalic's strike from outside the box capped off a well-executed team play, showcasing Orlando's offensive prowess. Guzan had already made two crucial saves just moments before, but even his heroics couldn’t keep the Lions at bay.
Atlanta United's woes this season have been evident, as they are now 2-3-5 overall, marking the worst ten-game start in franchise history. Coach Gonzalo Pineda's squad has yet to secure a win in April, following a 1-0 loss to New England and a 1-1 draw with FC Dallas earlier in the month.
The Five Stripes were missing several key players due to injuries and suspensions. Derrick Williams was sidelined with hamstring issues, while Tristan Muyumba, Stian Gregersen, and Emmanuel Latte Lath were also unavailable. However, Saba Lobzhanidze made a return to the starting lineup after missing the previous match against Philadelphia Union.
Jamal Thiare, who stepped in as a striker for Latte Lath, had a couple of promising chances in the first half but failed to convert, sending both of his header attempts over the net. Atlanta's best opportunity came from Edwin Mosquera, who missed a clear chance in the 65th minute, visibly frustrated as he sent the ball into the stands.
Despite the scoreline, the match was a testament to Orlando City’s resilience. Coach Oscar Pareja had emphasized the need for his team to break a three-game scoreless streak leading into this match, and they responded emphatically. The Lions not only broke their scoring drought but did so while keeping a clean sheet for the fourth consecutive match, a feat that had not been achieved since the 2023 MLS Cup playoffs.
Orlando's defense, led by a solid backline featuring Rodrigo Schlegel and Robin Jansson, limited Atlanta to just three total shots, with only two on target throughout the match. Pareja's tactical adjustments were evident as his team maintained a strong defensive shape while transitioning quickly into attack.
Looking ahead, Atlanta United will host their fierce rivals, Nashville SC, on Saturday, May 3, 2025, with kickoff scheduled for 2:45 p.m. The Five Stripes will need to regroup quickly to turn their fortunes around and avoid further disappointment in front of their home crowd.
Meanwhile, Orlando City will travel to Soldier Field to face the Chicago Fire on the same day at 8:30 p.m., aiming to extend their unbeaten streak and continue their impressive form. With their current momentum, the Lions are looking to solidify their position in the playoff race as the season progresses.
