Atlanta United Falls 3-0 to Orlando City SC on the Road

ORLANDO, Fla. — Atlanta United (2-5-3, 9 points) suffered a 3-0 defeat to Orlando City SC Saturday night at Inter & Co Stadium, as a late first-half penalty and two second-half goals lifted the home side to victory.

The match started evenly, with both teams battling for control through the opening half-hour. Brad Guzan made a crucial save in the 31st minute, rushing off his line to deny Ivan Angulo’s close-range shot from the left side of the box.

However, momentum swung in Orlando’s favor shortly before halftime. In the 42nd minute, after a VAR review, the referee awarded a penalty to Orlando, ruling that Bartosz Slisz had made contact with Luis Muriel inside the box. Muriel calmly converted from the spot to give the hosts a 1-0 lead heading into the break.

Orlando stayed on the front foot to start the second half. Duncan McGuire nearly doubled the lead in the 47th minute, but Pedro Amador produced a crucial sliding block to keep Atlanta in the match. Just a few minutes later, though, Alex Freeman broke through, finishing a low shot to the far post after a feed from Marco Pasalic in the 51st minute.

Guzan continued to stand tall, making a diving save in the 63rd minute to deny Muriel again, but Orlando’s pressure proved too much. Pasalic added a third goal in the 67th minute, firing a left-footed strike from distance to seal the win.

Atlanta’s best chance of the night came late. In the 84th minute, Matt Edwards found Edwin Mosquera at the penalty spot, but the Colombian winger sent his shot wide of the target.

Atlanta United will look to bounce back next Saturday, May 3, when they return home to face Nashville SC at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 2:45 p.m.