Miami (AFP) – Argentine Ramiro Enrique did what Lionel Messi couldn’t do and eliminated Atlanta United from the MLS playoffs as Orlando City reached the Eastern Conference final for the first time with a 1-0 win on Sunday. Enrique struck in the 39th minute and Orlando held firm in the second half as Atlanta’s dream of a run to MLS Cup, after their shock win in the first round against Inter Miami, ended in Central Florida.
Orlando will host the conference final next weekend against New York Red Bulls, who defeated New York City on Saturday. Later on Sunday, the Los Angeles Galaxy will host Minnesota United in their Western Conference semi-final with a clash against the Seattle Sounders at stake. The Sounders upset Los Angeles FC with a 2-1 extra-time win on Saturday.
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Orlando were on the front foot from the outset — in the 5th minute, Facundo Torres broke down the left and slipped the ball across to Dagur Thorhallsson, but the Icelandic winger’s shot struck the post. Chances were at a premium until Orlando broke through, six minutes before the interval, when Atlanta failed to clear a corner and Enrique pounced, sliding in and scooping a shot past Brad Guzan.
Atlanta suffered another blow moments later when striker Jamal Thiare went down injured and had to be replaced by Daniel Rios. It got worse for the visitors when, four minutes after the interval, substitute Rios was hit by the ball and had to be replaced due to concussion. Orlando were solid at the back and had chances to put the game to bed but were unable to capitalise – substitute Duncan McGuire and Uruguayan Torres both going close from tight angles.
“I thought we had a lot of energy, especially in the first half,” said Orlando coach Oscar Pareja. “It is one more step closer to our objective but now we can prepare for the next one,” he told Apple TV.
The game marked the final appearance of Atlanta’s Dax McCarty, the former USA international midfielder who is retiring from the game at the age of 37. McCarty, who grew up near Orlando, said the “magic ran out” for Atlanta. “It has been one of the most memorable months of my career, frustrating season but we ended it with pride and ended it fighting and that’s all you can ask,” he said.
© 2024 AFP
