Atlanta United defeated Orlando City SC 2-0 Sunday night in front of 42,631 fans at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Saba Lobjanidze scored his first goal of the season, while Giorgos Giakoumakis, fresh off his hat trick performance last week, tallied his team-leading fourth goal and first assist of the season. Brad Guzan also became the first player to reach 200 appearances across all competitions for the club, while he kept his first clean sheet of the season.
Atlanta United kicked off the match flying and found the opening goal in the ninth minute. Orlando turned the ball over in the left midfield while Giakoumakis muscled it away from a defender. The forward sent a long-ball cross pitch (with the outside of his right boot) that met the feet of Lobjanidze on the right flank. Lobjanidze squared his defender before heading towards the end line and firing a low shot across the face of goal for the 1-0 lead.
Atlanta produced a pair of scoring chances from corner kicks just before the half. Williams had a header in the 39th minute tipped over the bar by Orlando goalkeeper Pedro Gallese. In the 45th minute, Gallese produced an impressive double-save as Stian Gregersen had his header saved off the line and Xande Silva turned the rebound back on target but Gallese palmed it away again.
After a series of threatening chances, Atlanta finally doubled its lead in the 71st minute. Lobjanidze received a pass on the right side near the halfway line, created space from his defender, and played Brooks Lennon down the line. Lennon ran in behind Orlando’s backline, cut the ball back while sending a defender sliding, and played Giakoumakis who was stationed a few yards outside of the box. The Greek striker blasted a one-time shot that struck the inside of the crossbar and into goal for his fourth in two matches.
Giakoumakis nearly had a brace in the 81st minute. Caleb Wiley delivered a cross from the left side which Lobjanidze flicked onto the back post for a wide-open Giakoumakis, but his shot was lifted over the bar. Atlanta saw out the remaining minutes and earned its first shutout of the season.
“The victory was very important to keep adding points and now we’ll think about the next game,” said Thiago Almada post-match. “I won’t be here, I’ll be with the national team but hopefully it goes the best way and I wish the team good luck.”
Atlanta United (2-1-0, 6 points) returns to action on Saturday, March 23 when it travels to face Toronto FC at BMO Field (7:30 p.m. ET, MLS Season Pass, 92.9 The Game, La Mejor). All Atlanta United matches are available with an MLS Season Pass subscription, located on the Apple TV app.
-Jon Jones
Photo: Courtesy of ATLUTD