ATLANTA (July 15, 2023) – Orlando City SC (10-6-7, 37 points) picked up an important rivalry win on Saturday evening, downing Eastern Conference foe Atlanta United FC (9-7-8, 35 points) by a 2-1 scoreline. After falling down by a goal early in the match, the Lions battled back to score a goal in each half, securing all three points at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
With the Five Stripes opening the scoring in the 22nd minute, the Lions didn’t waste any time to level things up, scoring just three minutes later on a set piece header from Brazilian Antonio Carlos, with Mauricio Pereyra proving the service.
Then, in the second half, Duncan McGuire picked up his eighth goal of the season after being threaded behind the backline by Pereyra, calmly slotting the ball past an onrushing Brad Guzan.
Despite Atlanta pushing hard for an equalizer until the final minute, the Lions’ defense stood strong, with goalkeeper Pedro Gallese making a match-saving stop in the ninth minute of second-half stoppage time on a Thiago Almada set piece just outside of the area.
The Lions will now head into a regular-season break, preparing to start Leagues Cup 2023 next week with their first of two group stage matches, facing Houston Dynamo FC on Friday night at Exploria Stadium.
Scoring Summary:
22’ Caleb Wiley – ATL 1, ORL 0
The home side opened the scoring in the match, after a chance by Machop Chol was cleared off the line by Antonio Carlos. However, the clearance fell right to Caleb Wiley who was able to capitalize into an open net.
25’ Antonio Carlos (Mauricio Pereyra) – ORL 1, ATL 1
It didn’t take long for the home side to respond, winning a free kick just inside the attacking third minutes later. Captain Mauricio Pereyra sent a line drive service into the box, with center back Antonio Carlos rising above the crowd to head home his first goal of the season.
60’ Duncan McGuire (Mauricio Pereyra) – ORL 2, ATL 1
The Lions took the lead just 15 minutes into the second half when Mauricio Pereyra went on a lone run with the ball up the middle of the Five Stripe’s defense before playing a through ball in between the lines to Duncan McGuire. McGuire took a couple of touches at the top of the Atlanta box before firing a low shot into the lower-left corner.
Head Coach Oscar Pareja:
"I saw today a lot of character on the field, with a team that had a tough experience over the past weekend and today, coming to Atlanta, we needed this one game. It was important for our confidence, it was important for the standings. We needed a team that had character the whole time, and the players had that today. We had very good health, in terms of movement, controlling the game, controlling the ball. And in the second half, obviously in the last 15 minutes we defended more than we wanted, but we had a team that was throwing bodies [in the way]. We’ve had this experience at home where we deserved to win and to beat them [the opponent], and we ended up just conceding a goal in the last minute. It was all those things that have to be changing. But it can be changed when you win and when your confidence is raising. But all the credit for the players, they held their own tonight and I'm very proud of them.”
Match Notes:
- Antonio Carlos scored his first goal for the Club in almost two years, with the tally serving as his fourth all-time for the Lions. The Brazilian defender scored his last goal in purple on Aug. 18, 2021 against Nashville SC.
- Duncan McGuire tallied his eighth goal of his rookie season, playing just 19 games so far in his young career.
- Mauricio Pereyra provided his sixth and seventh assists of 2023 and his 41st and 42nd respectively all-time, extending his own Club record.
- The win on Saturday marked the Lions’ first regular-season victory over Atlanta since July 31, 2021.
- Head Coach Oscar Pareja made no changes from his side’s last match against Real Salt Lake, with the match serving as the third consecutive with this lineup.
