Atlanta United: Analyzing their gutsiest wins from the 2018 season
By Josh Bouland
May 13 at Orlando City
This win snapped Orlando City’s six-game win streak. The “rivalry” between these two teams had only gone through three games in 2017. Atlanta won the first contest while the teams drew the following two games. With Orlando on their win streak and looking for their first win in the series, this match looked very promising. Atlanta’s ability to get ahead and stay ahead on the road proved they still had the fervor to win tough games.
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How they won: Thanks to an early penalty in the box, Josef Martinez converted from the spot in just the 10th minute of the game. In the 31st minute, in what was the brightest spot of the game, Ezequiel Barco scored his second goal with the club. Greg Garza sent in a fantastic cross and Barco slammed it home for his second goal in three games. Orlando pulled one back in the second half but Atlanta hung on to win anyway.
The guts of it all: Orlando is not an easy environment to play in, especially during that specific point in the season with Orlando on its win streak. Their fans showed up loud and proud and did a good job supporting their team in its rivalry. Atlanta won anyway, setting the tone for the rest of their match-ups against Orlando in 2018. The Five Stripes went on to beat Orlando in their remaining two matches to keep their undefeated streak against Orlando through six games.