Atlanta United defeats Orlando City 3-2

By Alonso Contreras

n one of the most dramatic and emotionally charged fixtures of the 2025 MLS season, Atlanta United overturned a 2-1 halftime deficit with a thrilling injury-time winner to defeat rivals Orlando City 3-2 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. The match featured five goals, a red card, relentless tempo, numerous tactical adjustments, and last-gasp heroics as Atlanta mounted a stunning comeback in front of a raucous home crowd.

First Half: Orlando Strikes First, Atlanta Responds, but Lions Retake the Lead

The match began with high energy, and it didn’t take long for Orlando City to strike a blow. In the 4th minute, César Araújo stunned the home crowd with a long-range right-footed effort from just outside the box. The low strike, assisted by Marco Pašalić and Martín Ojeda, snuck into the bottom left corner past a diving Brad Guzan. With an xG of only 3%, it was a low-probability goal but perfectly executed (0-1, ORL).

Atlanta responded with composure and began to push forward. In the 19th minute, Alexey Miranchuk brought the Five Stripes level. After a sequence of pressure involving Miguel Almirón’s blocked shot, the ball fell kindly to Miranchuk, who struck a crisp left-footed finish from the center of the box, tucking it into the middle right of the net. The effort had an xG of 31%, reflecting its central location (1-1).

Just when Atlanta seemed to be settling into a rhythm, Orlando hit again. In the 32nd minute, Ramiro Enrique restored the visitors’ lead with a right-footed strike from the heart of the box. The forward calmly slotted the ball into the bottom left corner, following a well-worked attacking buildup. The goal, carrying an xG of 38%, was a classic poacher’s finish (1-2, ORL).

The half ended with both teams having had moments of control. Atlanta had brief flurries—Saba Lobjanidze and Miranchuk probed in the final third—but Orlando’s disciplined midfield, marshaled by Araújo and Pašalić, limited clear chances.

Halftime Score: Atlanta United 1 – 2 Orlando City

Second Half: Tactical Chess and Tempers Flare

The second half kicked off with Atlanta chasing an equalizer and Orlando seeking a third to kill the contest. The Lions nearly extended their lead in the 50th minute, when Marco Pašalić cracked the left post with a sharp effort from a tight angle—a heart-stopping moment for the Atlanta defense.

Moments later, Ojeda’s curling shot was denied by Guzan, and Alex Freeman’s point-blank attempt was bravely blocked by Matthew Edwards. Orlando’s missed chances would come back to haunt them.

Coach Gonzalo Pineda rang the changes for Atlanta in the 68th minute, making a triple substitution: Pedro Amador, Jamal Thiaré, and Mateusz Klich entered to inject pace and energy. The tactical switch paid dividends.

Before Atlanta could capitalize, tempers boiled over. In the 77th minute, César Araújo received a straight red card for violent conduct—an apparent retaliatory swipe at Jay Fortune during a midfield duel. Down to ten men, Orlando began to sit deeper, inviting Atlanta pressure.

The Comeback Begins: Slisz Sparks Hope

In the 83rd minute, Atlanta United found their breakthrough. Bartosz Slisz, often the unsung engine in midfield, picked up a pass from Alexey Miranchuk and unleashed a low, driven shot from outside the box. It wasn’t a high-percentage opportunity (xG of 5%), but his strike zipped through traffic and nestled inside the left post. Mercedes-Benz Stadium erupted (2-2).

The goal galvanized Atlanta. With the man advantage and momentum, they surged forward relentlessly. Saba Lobjanidze and Edwin Mosquera both had speculative efforts miss the mark, and Gallese was cautioned in the 90'+3 for time-wasting as Orlando clung on.

Dramatic Finale: Thiaré's Winner in the 95th Minute

Then came the defining moment.

In stoppage time—90'+5, Jamal Thiaré etched his name into Atlanta lore. Following a flowing move involving Miranchuk and Lobjanidze, Thiaré received a perfectly weighted ball in the box and calmly slotted a left-footed finish past Gallese into the lower central-left portion of the net. The goal, with a remarkable xG of 79%, reflected how clear-cut the chance was. The stadium exploded in euphoria as the scoreline flipped to 3-2 in Atlanta’s favor.

Despite Orlando’s late attempt via a corner in the 90'+10, Atlanta’s defense held firm. The final whistle, blown after 90'+11, signaled an unforgettable comeback and a crucial three points for Atlanta.

Full-Time: Atlanta United 3 – 2 Orlando City SC

Key Statistics:

• Goals: ATL – Miranchuk (19'), Slisz (83'), Thiaré (90'+5); ORL – Araújo (4'), Enrique (32')

• Shots (on target): Atlanta 18 (6), Orlando 14 (5)

• xG: Atlanta 2.38 – Orlando 1.21

• Possession: Atlanta 56% – Orlando 44%

• Yellow Cards: ATL – Klich, Slisz, Fortune; ORL – Gallese, Atuesta

• Red Cards: ORL – Araújo (77')

• Corners: Atlanta 6, Orlando 7

• Key Passes: Miranchuk (3), Lobjanidze (3), Ojeda (4)

Man of the Match: Alexey Miranchuk (Atlanta United)

The Russian midfielder was everywhere—dictating tempo, providing two assists (including the pre-assist for the winner), and scoring a crucial first-half equalizer. His vision and ability to break lines were essential to Atlanta’s comeback.

Tactical Observations:

• Atlanta's Second-Half Adjustments: The introduction of Thiaré and Amador added width and verticality, forcing Orlando's defense to stretch, especially after Araújo's red card.

• Orlando’s Collapse: The red card undid their defensive structure. Until then, they had been executing a balanced counter-attacking strategy effectively.

• Midfield Battle: Slisz and Klich eventually overwhelmed Orlando’s tiring midfield after dominating possession in the final quarter of the match.

Final Thoughts:

Atlanta United’s thrilling 3-2 win over Orlando City will go down as one of the most exhilarating matches of the 2025 season. From early Orlando dominance to late Atlanta resilience, the night had everything: spectacular goals, controversial cards, and a finale worthy of any classic rivalry. The result breathes new life into Atlanta’s playoff hopes while leaving Orlando reeling from a match they let slip through their fingers.