Atlanta United vs Orlando City FC
Atlanta United Settle for 1-1 Draw
Purata Scores First MLS Goal
Atlanta Latinos Magazine – It was entertaining for sure, but in the end, Atlanta United settled for 1-1 draw against Orlando City FC. United controlled much of the match, maintaining 62% of possession and outshooting Orlando by an 18 to 3 margin.
Orlando City took an early lead. Mauricio Pereyra converted a free kick from just outside the top of the box in the 10th minute. There was a bit of confusion and controversy on the play. It appeared that the referee blew the whistle to initiate the free kick while Atlanta’s goalie was still aligning the defensive wall.
Orlando maintained that lead until the 71st minute. Juan Sanchez Purata headed in a free kick from Thiago Almada. Having been with the squad for less than a month, it was Purata’s first MLS goal. Almada notched his team high sixth assist of the year.
Atlanta has earned a win and a tie since the embarrassing loss a week ago against Austin FC. The team has been utilizing a new formation that seems to be more cohesive and defensively stable.
Atlanta returns to the pitch next Sunday away against LA Galaxy.
Notes…Joseph Martinez did not start for the second straight match but came on as a substitute in the 60th minute… Pereyra scored his first goal of the season and fourth of his MLS career… …attendance was announced as 42,526.
