ATLANTA — Atlanta United returns to action Saturday against Eastern Conference opponent Orlando City for the second meeting in as many weekends between the two clubs. Atlanta is currently fourth in the Eastern Conference, four points above Orlando who sits in seventh. The match is scheduled to kick-off at 5:00 p.m. EST and will be televised nationally on FOX with coverage starting at 4:30 p.m. EST.
Orlando is making its first visit to Atlanta for the final match at Bobby Dodd Stadium, where Atlanta has sold out each of its nine matches this season and posted a 6-2 record and won the last five. The two teams will play a third and final time of the regular season Sept. 16 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Atlanta defeated Orlando City SC 1-0 on July 21 in front of 25,527 fans at Orlando City Stadium. The heroics came from Tito Villalba in the 86th minute, as the Argentine winger took a throw-in from Greg Garza, took two dribbles, then sent a rocket from roughly 30 yards out into the top right corner to break the scoreless tie. Brad Guzan, making his club debut, made five saves to keep the clean sheet, helping Atlanta win its fourth-straight match.
Arguably Atlanta’s best chance in the first half came in the 23rd minute as Yamil Asad forced Orlando goalkeeper Joe Bendik to make a save. Meanwhile, Guzan made two crucial saves to keep the game scoreless, including one off a free kick in the 39th minute that came off the head of Jonathan Spector. After halftime, Guzan once again stopped a headed effort from Spector off a free kick, this time in the 63rd minute. The teams traded minor opportunities until Villalba’s screamer won it.
