Duncan McGuire’s goal in the 60th minute gave Orlando City a 2-1 win over host Atlanta United on Saturday night.

All game long, McGuire attempted to run off the back shoulder of the defenders before he broke through for Orlando City (10-6-7, 37 points).

Midfielder Mauricio Pereyra earned his second assist of the night as he sent McGuire in behind with a nice through ball, and McGuire slipped the ball past goalkeeper Brad Guzan for the lead. It was McGuire’s eighth goal of the season.

After taking the lead, Orlando City shifted to a deeper defensive position, conceding possession and long-shot attempts.

Atlanta (9-7-8, 35 points) outshot Orlando City 17-10 on the night with both teams putting four shots on target. Goalkeeper Pedro Gallese finished with three saves on the night for the Lions, with perhaps no bigger save than his diving effort on Thiago Almada’s long free kick deep into second-half extra time. Guzan finished with two saves.

Caleb Wiley opened the scoring for Atlanta in the 22nd minute after crashing the box to pick up a loose ball. Machop Chol got in on goal, and his shot trickled through Gallese and rolled toward the goal. A defender slid in for a goal-line clearance, but the ball popped directly into the path of Wiley, who slotted it home for his fourth goal of the season.

However, it took Orlando City less than four minutes to equalize. The Lions won a free kick and Pereyra served it into the box. Antonio Carlos ran up and hit a thunderous header inside the far post. That was his first goal of the season the fourth in his MLS career.

Atlanta’s absorbed only its second home loss of the season.

The game was full of fouls and extra-curricular activities. Atlanta was whistled for 18 fouls to Orlando City’s 13, but the Lions had six yellow cards to Atlanta’s two. Three of Orlando City’s yellow were not for fouls; two were due to dissent and one for time wasting.

–Field Level Media