MLS Orlando City SC

Wilfredo Rivera Scores Game-Winner as Lions Defeat Atlanta United 2 on Sunday Night

July 16, 2023 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Orlando City SC News Release


KISSIMMEE, Fla. - Orlando City B (9-7-2, 30 points) defeated its neighbors to the north, Atlanta United 2 (6-7-5, 24 points), by a 3-2 scoreline on Sunday night at Osceola County Stadium. The match saw goals from Cristofer Acuña and Wilfredo Rivera, with the latter's serving as his first of the year for the game-winner.

The Lions were reduced to 10 men just before the halftime break when Thomas Williams was shown a second yellow card, with the Five Stripes taking the lead in the 60th minute. Orlando City B was able to answer however, with goals from Acuña and Rivera.

OCB returns home next Sunday, set to host Chicago Fire II in a 7 p.m. ET kickoff at Osceola County Stadium.

Scoring Summary:

29' Noah Cobb (Own Goal) - ORL 1, ATL 0

The Lions took the lead after a cross from Moises Tablante from the left side took a deflection off an Atlanta defender and trickled into the back of the net.

45' Jackson Conway (PK) - ORL 1, ATL 1

The visitors equalized from the penalty spot, with Lions' goalkeeper Mason Stajduhar guessing the right way, but the strike from Jackson Conway tucked into the bottom left corner of the net.

60' Nick Firmino (Luke Brennan) - ATL 2, ORL 1

Atlanta took the lead with a cross from Luke Brennan from the right flank finding the head of Nick Firmino for the finish.

75' Cristofer Acuña - ORL 2, ATL 2

The Lions jumped on a misplayed pass from the Atlanta United 2 defense, with Wilfredo Rivera sending a ball into the box that fell to the feet of Cristofer Acuña, who was able to gain his footing, spin around and slot his shot into the back of the net.

76' Wilfredo Rivera - ORL 3, ATL 2

Orlando City B took the lead off another misplayed pass from Atlanta, this time with Cristofer Acuña applying the pressure and forcing a bad pass from Atlanta goalkeeper Justin Garces that fell right to the feet of Wilfredo Rivera. The Orlando City Homegrown took a touch before lifting his shot into an open net for the eventual game-winner.

Match Notes:

Wilfredo Rivera scored his first goal of the campaign.

Cristofer Acuña netted his third goal of the year.

The Lions were reduced to 10 men just before halftime when Thomas Williams was shown a second yellow card.

Head Coach Martín Perelman made five changes to his starting lineup from the Lions' last match, with Mason Stajduhar, Moises Tablante, Thomas Williams, Zakaria Taifi and Shak Mohammed all getting the nod.

Next Match: The Lions return home next Sunday to host Chicago Fire II in a 7 p.m. ET kickoff at Osceola County Stadium.

Teams

1

2

F

Orlando City B

1

2

3

Atlanta United 2

1

1

2

Scoring Summary:

ORL - Noah Cobb (Own Goal) 29'

ATL - Jackson Conway (PK) 45'

ATL - Nick Firmino (Luke Brennan) 60'

ORL - Cristofer Acuña 75'

ORL - Wilfredo Rivera 76'

Misconduct Summary:

ORL - Thomas Williams (Yellow Card) 4'

ATL - Kofi Twumasi (Yellow Card) 12'

ORL - Thomas Williams (Second Yellow Card) 42'

ORL - Thomas Williams (Red Card) 42'

ORL - Cristian Medina (Yellow Card) 44'

ATL - Adyn Torres (Yellow Card) 45+3'

ORL - Jack Lynn (Yellow Card 49'

ORL - Imanol Almaguer (Yellow Card) 51'

ATL - Toni Tiente (Yellow Card) 72'

ORL - Zakaria Taifi (Yellow Card) 85'

ORL - Franco Pérez (Yellow Card) 90+2'

Lineups/Substitutions:

Orlando City B - GK Mason Stajduhar; D Moises Tablante (Franco Pérez 81'), Thomas Williams, Zakaria Taifi, Alex Freeman (Wilfredo Rivera 61'); M Jhon Solís, Juninho © (Tahir Reid-Brown 86'), Cristian Medina, Imanol Almaguer; F Jack Lynn (Cristofer Acuña 64'), Shak Mohammed (Favian Loyola 85')

Substitutes Not Used: GK Javier Otero; D Fernando Sanchez; F Gonzalo Agustoni, Juan Quevedo

Atlanta United 2 - GK Justin Garces; D Tyler Young (Karim Tmimi 75'), Efraín Morales (David Mejía 88'), Noah Cobb, Shawn Lanza (Jonathan Villal 46'); M Adyn Torres (Toni Tiente 50'), Kofi Twumasi, Erik Centeno, Nick Firmino, Luke Brennan; F Jackson Conway (Alan Carleton 75')

Substitutes Not Used: GK Sebastián Guerra; F Rocket Ritarita

Details of the Game:

Time: 7 p.m. ET

Weather: Clear

Date: July 16, 2023

Stats:

Possession:

ORL - 46.5%

ATL - 53.5%

Shots:

ORL - 17

ATL - 6

Saves:

ORL - 0

ATL - 7

Fouls:

ORL - 11

ATL - 14

Corners:

ORL - 6

ATL - 3

Check out the Orlando City SC Statistics



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