ORLANDO, Fla. (Oct. 19, 2024) – Orlando City SC (15-12-7, 52 points) dropped its last regular season match of 2024 via a 2-1 scoreline against Atlanta United FC (10-14-10, 40 points) on Saturday night at Inter&Co Stadium. Following other results from around the league on Decision Day, the Lions secured the fourth seed in the Eastern Conference and will host No. 5 Charlotte FC in Round One of the best-of-three series in the Audi 2024 MLS Cup Playoffs.
Atlanta United jumped out to an early 2-0 lead within the first 16 minutes of the match, putting pressure on the Lions throughout the match. Martín Ojeda brought Orlando City within one goal just before halftime with his sixth goal of the season across all competitions.
The Lions conceded a penalty kick shortly after taking the field for the start of the second half. Goalkeeper Pedro Gallese kept the deficit to just one goal with his third penalty save of the season after turning away Aleksey Miranchuk’s penalty kick.
Second-half substitute Duncan McGuire seemed to have scored the equalizer for Orlando City with a ricochet shot in the 89th minute. However, the goal was taken off the board after it was deemed by video review that McGuire had committed a handball prior to the goal.
Orlando City will next host Charlotte FC in Round One of the Audi 2024 MLS Cup Playoffs in the first match of a best-of-three series at Inter&Co Stadium. Matchup details, including exact date and kickoff time, will be announced in the near future.
Scoring Summary:
7’ Saba Lobjanidze (Pedro Amador) – ATL 1, ORL 0
The visiting side jumped out to an early lead just seven minutes into the match on a give-and-go inside the Orlando City box. With Atlanta putting pressure on the Lions’ back line, Saba Lobjanidze gained control inside the box before dropping off a pass to Pedro Amador just inside the box. Amador quickly returned a feed to a cutting Lobjanidze who sent a shot into the far side of the net.
16’ Jamal Thiaré – ATL 2, ORL 0
Less than 10 minutes later, the Five Stripes doubled their lead on a goal from Jamal Thiaré. An initial corner kick attempt for Atlanta was saved by Orlando goalkeeper Pedro Gallese but the Lions couldn’t get a clean clearance, and the ball deflected to Thiaré on the far side of the goal, and he was able to get a quick touch on the ball and sent it into the back of the net.
42’ Martín Ojeda (Rafael Santos) – ATL 2, ORL 1
The Lions got one back just before halftime on a header from Martín Ojeda. Orlando pushed forward into the Atlanta box and Dagur Dan Thórhallsson crossed the ball to the left side of the field to Rafael Santos. The Brazilian defender sent a curling cross into the box towards a diving Martín Ojeda who was able to get a head on the pass and deflect it past goalkeeper Brad Guzan.
Head Coach Oscar Pareja:
“First, to express our gratitude to our fans and the people who support the club this much. The energy that they bring into the games, and that's very contagious for the players. I know from the bottom of our heart, from the players, that that's the highlight of this part of the season, especially the last semester, when we bounced back after a very tough start to the season. So, thanks to them. Regarding the game, I thought we played well, and we had some moments of distractions, not that we get outplayed by Atlanta, but we got distracted on a couple plays, especially in the starting of the halves, and we need to correct that. It cannot happen in the playoffs. After that, or in between those moments, the boys played well and how we wanted. We have had more sharpness on our finishing than we did tonight, but I thought the heart of the team was there all the time, and I congratulate this group of players that, once again, brought us here. They finished fourth [place] in the conference, and that’s not an easy task. Just take that positive side of this one. We are very proud of the players and the club.”
Match Notes:
- Midfielder and Designated Player Martín Ojeda scored his sixth goal of the season across all competitions and his 12th all-time.
- With the assist on Ojeda’s goal, defender Rafael Santos provided his third helper of the 2024 campaign across all competitions and his ninth all-time for the Lions.
- In the 47th minute of the match, goalkeeper Pedro Gallese denied Aleksey Miranchuk’s penalty attempt, marking the third penalty he’s saved in the 2024 campaign across all competitions.
- Tonight’s match was played in front of a sold-out crowd at Inter&Co Stadium with an announced attendance of 25,046.
- Head Coach Oscar Pareja made three changes to his starting lineup from his side’s last match against FC Cincinnati, with Felipe, Martín Ojeda and Dagur Dan Thórhallsson all returning to the starting lineup.
