Atlanta United midfielder Eric Remedi #5 kicks the ball mid-air during the first half of the match against Orlando City SC at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia, on Saturday August 29, 2020. This is part of the first phase of the continuation of MLS’ 25th season. While the club works to refine the health and safety protocols for Atlanta United events in Mercedes-Benz Stadium, the three home matches of this first phase will be played with no fans in attendance. (Photo by Jacob Gonzalez/Atlanta United)

Atlanta United lost to Orlando City SC 3-1 Saturday afternoon at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Brooks Lennon scored his first goal with Atlanta United, while Jürgen Damm made his club debut and picked up an assist. Ezequiel Barco returned from an injury, coming on as a second-half substitute, and also had an assist on Lennon’s goal.

Orlando opened the scoring in the 13th minute off a corner kick. Chris Mueller delivered a ball directly into the middle of the box that Junior Urso powerfully headed toward goal. Brad Guzan was able to get a hand on it, but not enough as the ball trickled past the goal line.

Chris Mueller doubled the lead for Orlando in the 35th minute, finishing off a quick-strike sequence with assists to Daryl Dike and Benji Michel. Off an Atlanta goal kick, Mueller latched onto a second ball and played Dike near the edge of the box. Dike then played Michel through, which forced Guzan to rush out, but Dike’s extra pass to Mueller left the young American forward an open shot on goal.

Interim head coach Stephen Glass made two changes at halftime, bringing Jeff Larentowicz and Jake Mulraney on. Atlanta was able to control play for much of the second half, claiming more than 70 percent of possession and out-shooting Orlando 8-3. Lennon put Atlanta on the board in the 83rd minute, finishing off a cross from Damm. But Orlando added a third goal from Nani three minutes later to seal the game.

STATS

Shots: 11-9 Atlanta

Shots on Target: 4-3 Atlanta

Corner kicks: 9-6 Atlanta

Fouls committed: 25-13 Orlando 

Clearances: 24-7 Orlando

Offside: 2-1 Atlanta

Possession: 61-39 Atlanta

Passing Accuracy: 86-80 Atlanta

Atlanta United (3-4-0, 9 points) returns to action at Mercedes-Benz Stadium Wednesday, Sept. 2 against Inter Miami CF (7:00 p.m., FS1, Sports Radio 92-9 The Game).

-Jon J.

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