MLS Atlanta United FC

Almiron's brace leads Atlanta United to 4-0 win over Orlando City

Published on June 30, 2018 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Atlanta United FC News Release


ATLANTA - Miguel Almirón scored twice for his sixth career multi-goal game to help Atlanta United defeat Orlando City SC 4-0 in front of 71,932 fans at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Saturday night. Josef Martinez scored his league-leading 15th goal of the season, while fellow Designated Player Ezequiel Barco also scored. Brad Guzan made three saves to post his fifth clean sheet of the season.

Just three minutes into the game, Atlanta struck first from Martinez. Julian Gressel sent an early cross into the box that got by a pair of Orlando defenders before ultimately finding a lunging Martinez. The Golden Boot leader made a run to the far post, getting in behind Jonathan Spector, and just got his right foot on the cross to redirect the ball into the back of the net. It was the 14th time this season (out of 18 MLS matches) that Atlanta scored first.

That score held until halftime, where Atlanta was already 8-0-1 this season when leading at the intermission. The club quickly put the game away in the second half, started by a lightning-quick counterattack to put Atlanta ahead 2-0 in the 55th minute. Inside his own penalty area, Villalba stole a loose ball and quickly dribbled out of trouble before leading Martinez near midfield. The striker took a pair of touches before playing Almirón through the final Orlando defender, where the Paraguayan's first touch set him up perfectly to finish to Joe Bendik's right.

Just two minutes later, Barco put Atlanta up 3-0. He started the play by sending a ball to Almirón near the edge of the penalty area. Almirón's shot attempt caromed off the crossbar and right to Barco, who controlled the ball with his chest before firing off a right-footed attempt into the corner. Then, 20 minutes later, Almirón finished his brace to put Atlanta up 4-0. Almirón received a pass from Mikey Ambrose just past midfield, then beat Spector in a 1v1 duel, before sprinting toward the end line where he peppered a shot past Bendik.

Atlanta United (11-3-4, 37 points) returns to MLS action when it travels to play FC Dallas on Wednesday, July 4 at Toyota Stadium. (8:00 p.m., FOX Sports South, Sports Radio 92-9 The Game).

LINE SCORE

Atlanta United 4, Orlando City SC 0

Mercedes-Benz Stadium

Atlanta, Georgia

STATS

Shots: 15-13 Atlanta

Shots on Target: 6-4 Atlanta

Corner kicks: 4-2 Orlando

Fouls committed: 9-5 Orlando

Saves: 3-2 Atlanta

Clearances: 9-5 Atlanta

Offside: 3-2 Orlando

Possession: 61-39 Atlanta

Passing Accuracy: 87-82 Atlanta

SCORING SUMMARY

ATL - Josef Martinez (Julian Gressel) 3' [HIGHLIGHT]

ATL - Miguel Almirón (Josef Martinez, Tito Villalba) 55' [HIGHLIGHT]

ATL - Ezequiel Barco 57' [HIGHLIGHT]

ATL - Miguel Almirón (Mikey Ambrose) 78' [HIGHLIGHT]

DISCIPLINARY SUMMARY

ORL - Will Johnson (yellow) 19'

ATLANTA UNITED STARTING LINEUP

Brad Guzan; Mikey Ambrose, Leandro Gonzalez Pirez, Michael Parkhurst ©, Franco Escobar; Jeff Larentowicz, Julian Gressel; Ezequiel Barco (Andrew Carleton - 80'), Miguel Almirón (Romario Williams - 86'), Tito Villalba (Kevin Kratz - 64'); Josef Martinez.

Substitutes not used: Alec Kann, Sal Zizzo, Miles Robinson, Brandon Vazquez.

ORLANDO CITY SC STARTING LINEUP

Joe Bendik; Amro Tarek, Lamine Sane (Stefano Pinho - 68'), Jonathan Spector ©; Mohamed El-Munir, Will Johnson (Richie Laryea - 63'), Oriol Rosell, Scott Sutter (RJ Allen - 68'); Dom Dwyer, Sacha Kljestan, Chris Mueller.

Substitutes not used: Earl Edwards Jr., Josue Coleman, Dillon Powers, Tony Rocha.

ATTENDANCE

71,932

OFFICIALS

Kevin Stott (referee), Cameron Blanchard (assistant), Adam Garner (assistant), Fotis Bazakos (fourth), Dave Gantar (VAR).

TEAM NOTES

Atlanta improved to 18-0-4 when Josef Martinez scores a goal.

Atlanta improved to 3-0-2 against Orlando City SC.

The 71,932 fans in attendance were the most for any soccer match in the world today. It was higher than both World Cup games earlier in the day.

Jeff Larentowicz started his 356th career MLS game. He's in fifth place in MLS history by a field player.

Larentowicz also appeared in his 375th career game. He's also in fifth place in MLS history by a field player.

Each of Atlanta United's Designated Players (Josef Martinez, Miguel Almirón, Ezequiel Barco) scored today.

Josef Martinez added to his league-leading goal tally with his 15th of the season.

Almirón put Atlanta up 2-0 in the 55th minute. The goal was his first since April 28 (Montreal Impact).

It was also Almirón's sixth career multi-goal game in MLS.

Atlanta improved to 10-1-3 when scoring first.

It also improved to 9-0-1 when leading at halftime.

Check out the Atlanta United FC Statistics

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