Atlanta United FC needed a perfect storm to make the MLS playoffs. That storm centered on beating Orlando City SC. It all worked.
The chances of Atlanta United FC making the MLS playoffs ranged from slim to none. Philadelphia Union had to draw or lose. CF Montreal and Washington United had to lose. All of that had to happen then Atlanta had to beat Orlando City SC on their home pitch.
All those things happened. On top of those unlikely events finishing on the same date, it looked for a moment like Orlando City might draw Atlanta.
But a VAR session took away the equalizer in the 89th minute. The related events raised a lot of anguish among players and supporters.
It started after Atlanta defender Luis Abram blocked Nico Lodeiro’s header. During the ensuing goalmouth scramble after Ivan Angulo got a touch, Duncan McGuire sent the ball into the goal.
The officials then launched a long study session. They then shocked the stadium by disallowing the goal and charging McGuire with a handball penalty.
McGuire said he got a clear explanation of the penalty. In MLS, if the ball hits a player’s hand who then directs the ball for a score, it’s a handball. He had his arm at his side during the furious scramble that resulted in the apparent score. However, after studying all the video angles, the situation resulted in a penalty.
Atlanta United prepared for this match harder than any other they played this season. They needed not just one, but a series of miracles to make the playoffs. The first miracle was to beat Orlando City, and they did it. All the other miracles fell into place. As a result, Atlanta is in.
They got all the scores they needed in the first half. The two goals were by Saba Lobjanidze – assist to Pedro Amador – and Jamal Thiare. The only Orlando answer was also in the first half, by Martin Ojeda, assist by Rafael Santos. It was Ojeda’s sixth goal of the season across all competitions, 12th all-time, and Santos’ third assist, ninth all-time for Orlando.
The damage was limited by the excellent work of City goalkeeper Pedro Gallese, who saved his third penalty of the season across all competitions, this attempt by Aleksey Miranchuk.
Had the McGuire goal stood and the game finished with a draw, that would have knocked Atlanta out of the post-season.
The Orlando front office, coaches, and players wanted this win to ensure fourth place in the MLS East leading to the post-season. But by another miracle, the team remains in fourth. They get a home game in the playoffs.
Orlando City SC is now committed to a thorough study of how Atlanta United took them out of this match. That’s because every squad they face in the MLS post-season has already finished studying this game.
They’ll oppose the Lions just as hard.