ORLANDO – Orlando City SC was forced to settle for a point after an equalizer in stoppage time made it 1-1 against Atlanta United at Exploria Stadium on Saturday night.
First-half stoppage time gave the Lions the opener through Benji Michel. A corner saw Daryl Dike shoot which allowed Michel to run onto the ball and tap it home, opening the scoring.
In spite of the frustration of conceding that goal in the last two, three minutes of the game knowing how we worked for the three points during the whole game; it’s difficult. But at the same time, I think we need to have calmness and see where we are. I thought today was another good demonstration of what Orlando is doing and once again anything I can say won’t soften the frustration that we have because it’s painful after you have the domination that we had in the first half and the options that we had during the game.
Orlando City SC Head Coach Oscar Pareja.
The equalizer came in the second minute of stoppage time at the end of the match. Jake Mulraney sent a cross in, finding Adam Jahn who headed it home to deny OCSC.
It could have been 1-0 for the Lions earlier as Michel set up a golden opportunity in the 34th minute. Just like the opener, it was Dike that found Michel, this time with a ball over the top. Michel provided it for Sebastian Mendez who seemed sure to score only to be denied by a Brad Guzan save.
Atlanta started the second-half well with two early chances. Cubo Torres was left wide open but failed to capitalize, sending his header wide. A shot from distance from Emerson Hyndman was denied by a spectacular save from Pedro Gallese.
Despite a disappointing finish, the result continues a good run for Orlando. Now with a four-match unbeaten streak which it will be hoping to continue against a struggling Inter Miami CF on Saturday.
(Photo courtesy: Major League Soccer)
Florida Soccer Report 