September 10, 2021 – Major League Soccer (MLS) – Atlanta United FC News Release
ATLANTA – Atlanta United defeated Orlando City SC 3-0 Friday night in front of 42,507 fans at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Homegrown defender George Campbell scored his first MLS goal, Ezequiel Barco netted his fifth goal of the season and Gonzalo Pineda earned his first win as a head coach. Behind two saves from goalkeeper Brad Guzan, Atlanta United posted its sixth clean sheet of the season.
Atlanta’s attacking trio of Barco, Luiz Araújo and Marcelino Moreno opened the match displaying a strong connection in the final third, combining for several chances and threatening Orlando’s goal. Araújo nearly opened the scoring in the fourth minute when he dribbled uncontested from the right side towards the top of the box where he unleashed a curling strike that clattered off the left post. Minutes later, Matheus Rossetto forced a diving save from Adam Grinwis with a shot from distance in the ninth minute.
Campbell grabbed the lead for Atlanta in the 25th minute. Orlando conceded a corner kick on the far side which was taken short by Moreno to Barco. He immediately returned the ball to Moreno, who whipped in a cross to the center of the box. Campbell ventured up the field and attacked the ball at the penalty spot, perfectly placing a header into the left side of the goal for the 1-0 lead.
Atlanta doubled its lead from a set piece in the 38th minute. Barco delivered a free kick from the left side towards the near post which deflected off Orlando’s Nani and Daryl Dike before bouncing into the net for an own goal.
Despite having firm control of the match, Atlanta pressed for more goals in the second half and continued to pile pressure on Orlando’s defense. That pursuit eventually gave way to the home side’s third goal of the match, which began with a long ball from Brooks Lennon over the top of Orlando’s backline. Barco brought the ball down inside the penalty area and dribbled to his right, avoiding three defenders on his way to slotting home a low shot to the right corner.
Atlanta (7-7-9, 30 points) returns to action Wednesday, Sept. 15 when it hosts FC Cincinnati at Mercedes-Benz Stadium (7:00 p.m., Bally Sports Southeast, Sports Radio 92-9 The Game, La Mejor).
MATCH INFO
Atlanta United 3, Orlando City SC 0
Mercedes-Benz Stadium
Atlanta, Georgia
STATS
Shots: 18-8 Atlanta
Shots on Target: 5-2 Atlanta
Corner kicks: 4-3 Atlanta
Fouls committed: 13-12 Orlando
Offside: 2-1 Atlanta
Possession: 61-39 Atlanta
Passing Accuracy: 88-84 Atlanta
SCORING SUMMARY
ATL – George Campbell (Marcelino Moreno) 25′ [HIGHLIGHT]
ATL – Daryl Dike (own goal) 38′ [HIGHLIGHT]
ATL – Ezequiel Barco (Brooks Lennon) 72′ [HIGHLIGHT]
DISCIPLINARY SUMMARY
ATL – Alan Franco (yellow) 34′
ORL – Antonio Carlos (yellow) 37′
ATL – George Campbell (yellow) 45+1′
ATL – Santiago Sosa (yellow) 81′
ATLANTA UNITED STARTING LINEUP
Brad Guzan ©; Anton Walkes (Alex De John – 76′), Alan Franco, George Campbell, Brooks Lennon, Jake Mulraney (George Bello – 60′); Santiago Sosa, Matheus Rossetto (Tyler Wolff – 76′); Ezequiel Barco, Marcelino Moreno (Mo Adams – 87′), Luiz Araujo (Erick Torres – 87′).
Substitutes not used: Alec Kann, Erik Lopez, Jurgen Damm, Machop Chol.
ORLANDO CITY SC STARTING LINEUP
Adam Grinwis; Ruan (Kyle Smith – 83′), Joao Moutinho, Robin Jansson, Antonio Carlos; Mauricio Pereyra, Benji Michel (Silvester van der Water – 68′), Andres Perea, Joey DeZart (Uri Rosell – 68′); Nani © (Chris Mueller – 74′), Daryl Dike (Tesho Akindele – 74′).
Substitutes not used: E. Mas, Rodrigo Schlegel, Raul Aguilera, Greg Ranjitsingh.
OFFICIALS
Victor Rivas (referee), Peter Balciunas (assistant), Oscar Mitchell-Carvalho (assistant), Nima Saghafi (fourth), Jair Marrufo (VAR), Jozef Batko (AVAR).
TEAM NOTES
George Campbell scored the first goal of his MLS career
Matheus Rossetto completed 45-46 passes for 98%
Ezequiel Barco scored his career-high fifth goal of the season
Brooks Lennon recorded his team-leading fifth assist of the season
Brad Guzan held his sixth clean sheet of the season
Gonzalo Pineda won his first match as a head coach in MLS
Santiago Sosa will be suspended next match for yellow card accumulation
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