Orlando City 1-0 Atlanta United: Enrique strike sets up Red Bulls clash

Atlanta United beat Inter Miami in the first round of the MLS playoffs, yet their postseason came to an end with a 1-0 defeat to Orlando City.

The Five Stripes went into Sunday’s Eastern Conference semifinal at Inter&Co Stadium full of confidence after ditching Lionel Messi and the rest of Miami’s stars out of the playoffs last time out.

Yet it was Orlando who, for the first time in club history, booked their place in the Eastern Conference finals thanks to Ramiro Enrique’s 39th-minute winner.

Enrique tucked in from close range after Atlanta failed to clear their lines from a corner.

That goal came after Orlando had started brightly, with Dagur Thorhallsson hitting the woodwork early on before Facundo Torres saw an effort cleared off the line.

Buoyed by a fine record against Orlando, who they had lost to just four times in 22 meetings ahead of this contest, Atlanta pressed for an equaliser after the break, but they could not find a way through a robust Lions defence.

Orlando will now host the New York Red Bulls in next week’s Eastern Conference final, with a place in the MLS Cup final on the line.

.@ORLANDOCITYSC ARE HEADED TO THEIR FIRST-EVER EASTERN CONFERENCE FINAL!

Audi #MLSCupPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/TiP8AbP4ck

— Major League Soccer (@MLS) November 24, 2024

Data Debrief: Stay away from the Lions’ den

Fresh from the Orlando Pride’s victory in the National Women’s Soccer League on Saturday, Orlando had plenty to live up to if they wanted to cap a great sporting weekend for the city.

And they did just that, with the backing of a vociferous crowd that helped them get over the line. Those fans will be called on again next week when the Red Bulls roll into town, but Orlando need not fear. They have lost only one of their last 14 home matches in all competitions (W9 D4 including two penalty shootout wins and one penalty shootout loss).

And while Atlanta huffed and puffed, they never really threatened to blow the door down, as Orlando limited them to just eight shots, with none of those hitting the target.

Indeed, Orlando had openings on the counter and could have put the match to bed with a bit more composure, as they finished with 1.3 expected goals to Atlanta’s 0.4 xG.