MLS Orlando City SC

Winning Streak Ends as Lions Fall to Atlanta

Published on May 13, 2018 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Orlando City SC News Release


ORLANDO, Fla. - Orlando City SC (6-3-1, 19 points) fell 2-1 to Atlanta United FC (8-2-1, 25 points) on Sunday at Orlando City Stadium, ending City's Club-record six-game winning streak. Justin Meram scored his first goal as a Lion.

"Obviously an emotional affair tonight," Lions head coach Jason Kreis said. "Passionate affair from the crowd to the staff to the players. I think everybody put everything that they had into this game. It's unfortunate because the way we played the second half, on a different night - on a lot of different nights already this season - we walk out of here with a draw. But some things went against us, for sure. Some decisions went against us, some of the play, some of our thoughts in the first half surely went against us."

Atlanta got out to an early lead when Josef Martínez buried his penalty kick in the 10th minute. Ezequiel Barco made it 2-0 in the 31st.

Under pouring rain, the Lions battled for their first goal. It came in the 57th minute when Will Johnson's shot from distance bounced to Meram in the box. The Iraqi international cooly slotted a right-footed shot inside the far post to make it 2-1.

City put together several strong looks at goal in the waning minutes and nearly tied when Dom Dwyer directed his header on frame but Atlanta goalkeeper Alec Kann made the catch.

City faces a quick turnaround as it heads to Canada to take on Toronto FC on Friday, May 18, at 8 p.m. ET. The Lions return to Orlando City Stadium on Saturday, May 26, to host the Chicago Fire at 7:30 p.m. ET.

Tickets to all City home matches are available at OrlandoCitySC.com or by calling 855-ORL-CITY.

Match Notes

F Justin Meram scored his first goal as a Lion.

GK Joe Bendik made his 77th career MLS start for City, tying F Cyle Larin for the most in Club history.

M Chris Mueller became the the fastest Lions rookie to 10 appearances.

Teams 1 2 F

Orlando City SC 0 1 1

Atlanta United FC 2 0 2

Scoring Summary:

ATL - Josef Martínez (PK) 10'

ATL - Ezequiel Barco (Greg Garza) 31'

ORL - Justin Meram 57'

Misconduct Summary:

ORL - Cristian Higuita (Yellow Card) 20'

ORL - Joe Bendik (Yellow Card) 32'

ORL - Yoshimar Yotún (Yellow Card) 84'

ATL - Héctor Villalba (Yellow Card) 84'

ORL - Uri Rosell (Yellow Card) 88'

ORL - Will Johnson (Yellow Card) 90+4'

Lineups/Substitutions:

Orlando City SC - GK Joe Bendik, D Mohamed El-Munir, Amro Tarek, Lamine Sané, Will Johnson, M Yoshimar Yotún, Cristian Higuita (Uri Rosell 46'), Justin Meram (Stéfano Pinho 74'), ' Sacha Kljestan, Chris Mueller (Josué Colmán 66'), F Dom Dwyer

Substitutes Not Used: GK Earl Edwards, Jr., D Chris Schuler, RJ Allen, M Richie Laryea

Atlanta United FC - GK Alec Kann, D Leandro González Pirez, ' Michael Parkhurst, Miles Robinson, M Greg Garza, Jeff Larentowicz, Darlington Nagbe (Kevin Kratz 87'), Julian Gressel, F Miguel Almirón, Ezequiel Barco (Héctor Villalba 68'), Josef Martínez (Romario Williams 79')

Substitutes Not Used: GK Mitch Hildebrandt, D Sal Zizzo, Mikey Ambrose, F Brandon Vázquez

Details of the Game:

Time: 6 p.m. ET

Weather: Clear

Date: May 13, 2018

Attendance: 24,232

Stats:

Possession:

ORL - 55 %

ATL - 45 %

Shots:

ORL - 11

ATL - 8

Saves:

ORL - 1

ATL - 5

Fouls:

ORL - 12

ATL - 10

Corners:

ORL - 9

ATL - 1




Major League Soccer Stories from May 13, 2018


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