Atlanta United pulls out 2-1 victory over Orlando City SC in thrilling Decision Day matchup

It was a busy Decision Day in MLS, and all the action did not disappoint for the 17s. Atlanta United traveled to Florida to take on regional rival Orlando City SC with a possible playoff berth on the line. The 5-Stripes put together one of their best starts of the season to get a 2-1 victory over Orlando.

Goals from Saba Lobjanidze and Jamal Thairé sealed the deal for Atlanta. With a little help from some other outcomes, Atlanta United also landed a spot within the top 9 of the Eastern Conference and are playoff bound.

"I feel really proud. There’s a lot of emotion. I feel a lot of joy for the people, the players, the staff, the people at the club that have had a tough year," said interim head coach Rob Valentino after the match. "I don’t know if this vindicates it, it just shows you can do anything if you keep showing up."

Both teams with playoff stakes

Both sides had something to play for on Decision Day. Atlanta United had not yet qualified for the MLS Cup Playoffs and need a win over Orlando City SC for a chance to qualify. A win plus two of the three following scenarios would clinch a playoff berth for Atlanta. While Orlando City SC had secured a playoff appearance, a top four place isn't guaranteed. They needed a result or a New York City FC loss to hold onto home field advantage.

Along with a win, Atlanta United needed the two of the following to happen to make the playoffs:

• A LOSS for CF Montréal at home vs. New York City FC
• A LOSS for D.C. United at home vs. Charlotte FC
• A draw OR loss for Philadelphia Union at home vs. FC Cincinnati

And two of those three did happen Saturday. Atlanta got some help from rival Charlotte FC as they beat D.C United 3-0. FC Cinncinnati beat Philadelphia 2-1.

CF Montréal beat New York City FC 2-0 to secure their eighth place finish.

How a hot start led to a 2-0 lead for Atlanta United

Saba Lobjanidze continued his streak of scoring big goals for Atlanta United. The 5-Stripes took a page out of Orlando’s book by maintaining possession and driving towards the net. Defender Pedro Amador, who has been one of Atlanta’s best players since being acquired back in July, teamed up with Lobjanidze to get the ball into the final third. In just the seventh minute of the match, a quick pass from Amador led to Lobjanidze getting the ball past Orlando goalkeeper Pedro Gallese.

Only nine minute later, the 5-Stripes would double their lead. Alexey Miranchuk took the corner kick for Atlanta. Gallese was not able to get firm possession of the ball off the set piece, leading to the ball caroming off Atlanta United players - Tyler Wolff, Bartosz Slisz and Derrick Williams. After hitting Williams, the ball went directing to striker Jamal Thiaré who shot it to the lower right of the net.

The last time Atlanta United looked that strong on a set piece was back on July 20 when two headers, off corner kicks, from Stian Gregersen lifted the 5-Stripes over defending MLS Cup champion Columbus Crew 2-1. Before this match, Atlanta United had only scored in the first 45 minutes, four times this season.

"It was massive. It could’ve been 3-nil as well, we had a couple other chances," said defender Derrick Williams about having the 2-0 lead going into halftime post. "I’ve played so many games where you’re 2-nil up. They always say in football that’s a tricky one where the other team gets one and then they get the momentum and sometimes you score or end up losing the game. To hold out with a 2-1 win, especially on the road against Orlando. It’s a great day, all the odds against us, and to beat our rivals. I’m just happy for our fans as well.”

How did the 5-Stripes handle Orlando’s counterattack

Much like some of the other clubs Atlanta United have played recently like the Philadelphia Union and New York Red Bulls, Orlando City SC’s gameplan is to dominate in possession. The 5-Stripes managed to keep them at bay for the first 40 minutes of the first half, but Orlando got on the board in the 42^nd minute. Orlando forced the turnover and got behind Atlanta’s defenders, driving further into the final third. Rafael Santos ran down the ball before making a cross to Martin Ojeda. The Argentine winger headed the ball past Brad Guzan for Orlando.

With a one goal lead and a possible playoff berth on the line, after halftime, Atlanta United had to decide whether they would continue to push and go for goal number three or sit back. They came out guns blazing and earned a penalty shot. Miranchuk, who was two for two on the year till this match, had his left footed shot saved by Gallese.

As time ticked down and the second half and Orlando continued push, Atlanta United made defensive-minded substitutions. Most notably Dax McCarty, who back in August announced he will retire at the end of this season, played in his hometown of Orlando for the final match of his MLS regular season career.

Saved by Brad Guzan and VAR

Veteran goalkeeper Brad Guzan was a brick wall for Atlanta United from the opening whistle. He made his first big save of the match, and possibly the biggest save of the 2024 season, in the first five minutes of the match. A diving left-handed save to keep the score at 0-0; two minutes later, Lobjanidze would go on to score the first goal. Guzan's prowess was shown throughout the second half of the match as well, especially once Orlando City started to push for an equalizer. His best save of the second half came in the 86th minute when he caught a point blank header from Orlando center back Rodrigo Schlegel.

Guzan was not the only thing that helped the 5-Stripes walk away with a win. In the 89th minute of the match, it looked as if Orlando City had equalized the 2-1 match with a goal from Duncan McGuire. After further review from the Video Assistant Referee (VAR), the goal was disallowed due to a handball. Atlanta would go on to close out the match with a win and take three points back to Atlanta.

UP NEXT - Goodbye regular season, Bonjour Montréal!

Atlanta United earned the win in Orlando. Not only that, the team got some help from other teams in the conference. Wins from Charlotte FC and FC Cincinnati helped Atlanta United move up the table and extend their season.

Atlanta United has booked their ticket to the Audi 2024 MLS Cup Playoffs. They will be the 9-seed and play 8-seed CF Montréal in the Wild Card Game on October 22.

"It’s really the same mentality because we came into this knowing that we had to win the game to give ourselves a chance and it’s going to be the same in Montréal," said Valentino. "You’ve got to win the game to give yourself a fighting chance to move on. That won’t change but now get guys as fresh as they can to roll into the next game."