Match recap: Atlanta United drops Orlando rivalry match at home

Atlanta United got it going early but were put away by two Orlando City SC goals in the second half of Wednesday night's affair. The 3-2 scoreline saw Antoine Griezmann score twice as the Lions were swift with their ball movement in the moments that mattered. The 5-Stripes forced two own goals, but the 5-Stripes couldn't hold onto their advantage and were too late in their comeback effort. 

What happened

The 5-Stripes got the first chance of the day in the 4th minute through meticulous buildup. Elías Báez whipped a ball into a streaking run from Tomás Jacob, but his first-time volley went over the bar. 

Breel Embolo made his mark nearly immediately in his home debut. A corner routine cross from Alexey Miranchuk found Paulo Díaz wide open at the back post. He headed the ball down to Embolo, who was positioned well to get a shot off from close range. It was ruled as own goal, as David Brekalo couldn't clear the ball anywhere but the net in the 7th minute. 

Lucas Hoyos made a determined one-on-one effort to stop an Orlando break in the 14th minute. He stuck out his right leg to deny Martín Ojeda a strike from the left side of the box. 

The Argentine keeper had to force Ojeda off his angle in the 18th minute as well, as Orlando City nearly scored from a cross shortly after Griffin Dorsey's shot soared over. 

Antoine Griezmann equalized for the visitors in the 26th minute from a tight angle, squeezing a shot past Hoyos from a Joran Gerbet cross. 

As the first half wound down, Orlando kept on pushing, using Griezmann and Ojeda as hubs. They attacked the half spaces between Atlanta United's fullbacks and center backs, and they created 1.2 expected goals by the break. But the 5-Stripes were doing just as well offensively, even with less of the ball — they had 1.3 xG at half. 

Jay Fortune was a halftime substitute as head coach Tata Martino looked to preserve the midfielder's legs in return from injury. Adrian Gill came onto the pitch. 

The beginning of the second period was a slow crawl, though both teams looked reenergized by the break. 

Orlando had a close call goal that was ultimately allowed after an original offsides decision. Ojeda got an over-the-top through ball and squared it to Ivan Angulo, who tapped it in for 2-1 in the 58th minute. 

The 5-Stripes took back the initiative after the Lions scored their second, finding wide spaces and room for crosses to test the Orlando defense. 

Hoyos made a massive double save to keep the 5-Stripes alive in the 74th minute, denying a Griezmann shot and a follow up. But Griezmann would capitalize in the 76th minute, exchanging well with Justin Ellis to make the score 3-1 from close range. 

Substitute Luke Brennan got on the end of a cross about 6 yards from the right post of the goal in the 84th minute, but he was moving too quickly to settle the ball, and it went out for a goal kick. 

Orlando had a goal line clearance in the 88th minute from a squared header across the face of goal after a Miguel Almirón cross. Once again Brennan was in the area, but he couldn't get a shot off. 

The 5-Stripes got an own goal back in the 96th minute off another corner routine, as substitute Enea Mihaj hit a powerful header across the face of goal that deflected off Tyrese Spicer and into the net. But it wouldn't change the outcome, and the match finished 3-2. 

Milestones

• Breel Embolo and Mauricio Amaro made their home debuts for Atlanta United.
• Jay Fortune returned from injury to start for the first time since July 17. He played 45 minutes in the midfield.

Up next

Atlanta United will take to the road to face D.C. United at 7:30 p.m. ET Saturday, Sept. 12. The match at Audi Field will be the 5-Stripes' 25th of the season as they take on a D.C. squad also vying for a playoff spot.