MLS Atlanta United FC

Atlanta United Wins 3-0 vs. Orlando City SC

Published on September 10, 2021 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Atlanta United FC News Release


ATLANTA - Atlanta United defeated Orlando City SC 3-0 Friday night in front of 42,507 fans at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Homegrown defender George Campbell scored his first MLS goal, Ezequiel Barco netted his fifth goal of the season and Gonzalo Pineda earned his first win as a head coach. Behind two saves from goalkeeper Brad Guzan, Atlanta United posted its sixth clean sheet of the season.

Atlanta's attacking trio of Barco, Luiz Araújo and Marcelino Moreno opened the match displaying a strong connection in the final third, combining for several chances and threatening Orlando's goal. Araújo nearly opened the scoring in the fourth minute when he dribbled uncontested from the right side towards the top of the box where he unleashed a curling strike that clattered off the left post. Minutes later, Matheus Rossetto forced a diving save from Adam Grinwis with a shot from distance in the ninth minute.

Campbell grabbed the lead for Atlanta in the 25th minute. Orlando conceded a corner kick on the far side which was taken short by Moreno to Barco. He immediately returned the ball to Moreno, who whipped in a cross to the center of the box. Campbell ventured up the field and attacked the ball at the penalty spot, perfectly placing a header into the left side of the goal for the 1-0 lead.

Atlanta doubled its lead from a set piece in the 38th minute. Barco delivered a free kick from the left side towards the near post which deflected off Orlando's Nani and Daryl Dike before bouncing into the net for an own goal.

Despite having firm control of the match, Atlanta pressed for more goals in the second half and continued to pile pressure on Orlando's defense. That pursuit eventually gave way to the home side's third goal of the match, which began with a long ball from Brooks Lennon over the top of Orlando's backline. Barco brought the ball down inside the penalty area and dribbled to his right, avoiding three defenders on his way to slotting home a low shot to the right corner.

Atlanta (7-7-9, 30 points) returns to action Wednesday, Sept. 15 when it hosts FC Cincinnati at Mercedes-Benz Stadium (7:00 p.m., Bally Sports Southeast, Sports Radio 92-9 The Game, La Mejor).

MATCH INFO

Atlanta United 3, Orlando City SC 0

Mercedes-Benz Stadium

Atlanta, Georgia

STATS

Shots: 18-8 Atlanta

Shots on Target: 5-2 Atlanta

Corner kicks: 4-3 Atlanta

Fouls committed: 13-12 Orlando

Offside: 2-1 Atlanta

Possession: 61-39 Atlanta

Passing Accuracy: 88-84 Atlanta

SCORING SUMMARY

ATL - George Campbell (Marcelino Moreno) 25' [HIGHLIGHT]

ATL - Daryl Dike (own goal) 38' [HIGHLIGHT]

ATL - Ezequiel Barco (Brooks Lennon) 72' [HIGHLIGHT]

DISCIPLINARY SUMMARY

ATL - Alan Franco (yellow) 34'

ORL - Antonio Carlos (yellow) 37'

ATL - George Campbell (yellow) 45+1'

ATL - Santiago Sosa (yellow) 81'

ATLANTA UNITED STARTING LINEUP

Brad Guzan ©; Anton Walkes (Alex De John - 76'), Alan Franco, George Campbell, Brooks Lennon, Jake Mulraney (George Bello - 60'); Santiago Sosa, Matheus Rossetto (Tyler Wolff - 76'); Ezequiel Barco, Marcelino Moreno (Mo Adams - 87'), Luiz Araujo (Erick Torres - 87').

Substitutes not used: Alec Kann, Erik Lopez, Jurgen Damm, Machop Chol.

ORLANDO CITY SC STARTING LINEUP

Adam Grinwis; Ruan (Kyle Smith - 83'), Joao Moutinho, Robin Jansson, Antonio Carlos; Mauricio Pereyra, Benji Michel (Silvester van der Water - 68'), Andres Perea, Joey DeZart (Uri Rosell - 68'); Nani © (Chris Mueller - 74'), Daryl Dike (Tesho Akindele - 74').

Substitutes not used: E. Mas, Rodrigo Schlegel, Raul Aguilera, Greg Ranjitsingh.

OFFICIALS

Victor Rivas (referee), Peter Balciunas (assistant), Oscar Mitchell-Carvalho (assistant), Nima Saghafi (fourth), Jair Marrufo (VAR), Jozef Batko (AVAR).

TEAM NOTES

George Campbell scored the first goal of his MLS career

Matheus Rossetto completed 45-46 passes for 98%

Ezequiel Barco scored his career-high fifth goal of the season

Brooks Lennon recorded his team-leading fifth assist of the season

Brad Guzan held his sixth clean sheet of the season

Gonzalo Pineda won his first match as a head coach in MLS

Santiago Sosa will be suspended next match for yellow card accumulation

Check out the Atlanta United FC Statistics

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