RECAP: Orlando City scores, Atlanta can’t
The Lions beat Atlanta United 3-0 Saturday, rediscovering their offense after three straight scoreless draws. And, oh yeah, Orlando kept its fourth straight clean sheet.
Marco Pasalic had a goal and an assist Saturday in Orlando City SC’s 3-0 home win against Atlanta United. PHOTO: MLSsoccer.com
Lions end Oh-for-April drought
Orlando City SC finally scored in April.
The Lions (4-2-4, 16 points) beat Atlanta United (2-5-3, 9 points) 3-0 Saturday at Inter & Co. Stadium after having played consecutive scoreless draws against Philadelphia Union, New York Red Bulls and CF Montreal since a 2-1 win March 29 against the Los Angeles Galaxy.
AND, not to be overshadowed by the Lions’ win, is an even brighter note: Orlando did not allow a goal in April. The Lions set club records for most consecutive shutouts, four, and most minutes played without allowing a goal, 436 (and counting). The old record was 364 minutes, most of them played in the 2023 MLS Cup playoffs.
Nearing halftime, Atlanta’s Bartosz Slisz tripped Orlando City striker Luis Muriel in the penalty box. After a VAR review, the foul was given and Muriel converted the kick in the 42nd minute. It was the Purple’s first goal since a 2-1 win March 29 against the Los Angeles Galaxy.
The Lions were energized in the second half; Alex Freeman took a pass from Marco Pasalic and slotted the ball by Brad Guzan in the 51st, and Pasalic smashed a blast from about 25-feet between Guzan and the near post in the 67th minute.
The Five Stripes, struggling despite the offseason acquisitions of Miguel Almiron and Emmanuel Latte Lath, are winless in four straight, including three straight shutout losses.
First-year coach Ron Delia’s squad played without leading scorer Latte Lath (five of Atlanta’s 11 goals this season), who was suspended for yellow card accumulation, and injured starting center backs Stian Gregersen (quadriceps) and Derrick Williams (hamstring). Defensive midfielder Tristan Muyumba missed the match with a groin injury.
Orlando City will travel to the Windy City next Saturday to play the Chicago Fire (3-4-3, 12 points) at Soldier Field. The Fire lost to Nashville 1-7 Saturday in Tennessee.
Atlanta United hosts Nashville.