Only two games remain between Orlando City and a second U.S. Open Cup trophy after the Lions dispatched rival Atlanta United 4-1 to secure a place in the semifinal.
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“I’m so happy that we advanced to the semifinal; the team played very well,” Orlando defender David Brekalo said. “We played against the same opponent, a tough game three days ago, so it was not easy energy-wise. I’m so happy and proud.”
Brekalo kicked off the scoring with a goal in the fifth minute. Braian Ojeda’s cross found an unmarked Brekalo, who headed it home to put the Lions up 1-0 early.
Griffin Dorsey doubled the lead in the 16th minute off an assist from Ivan Angulo. Angulo slid the pass across goal, and Atlanta’s defense couldn’t get to it as Dorsey tapped it home for the 2-0 lead. Adrian Marin’s pass to Angulo started the move, allowing the Lions to take a commanding lead.
Atlanta goalkeeper Jayden Hibbert played a terrible pass out of the back, allowing Orlando forward Tiago to get the ball in the box with no defenders between him and the goal. He took a moment to control the ball, placed his shot, and fired it home to put Orlando up 3-0 in the 24th minute.
Tiago added a second in the fifth minute of first-half stoppage time, taking advantage of another fast break attack. Braian Ojeda had the assist again, playing the young Brazilian on to make it 4-0 heading into halftime.
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Atlanta made four changes at halftime, but Orlando had complete control of the match by that point. The Lions had 10 shots on target compared to Atlanta’s four, but each team only earned one in the second half as the wear and tear of two games in four days started to show.
“I would say we had an advantage coming to the second game, because for the first game they had one week off while we didn’t have it, and now the second game they needed to stay in Orlando for three days,” Brekalo added. “We know that for somebody that is not from Orlando, it’s hard with the humidity and the weather. It’s different than Georgia, so I think that was our edge.”
Emmanuel Latte Lath pulled one back on a volley in the 84th minute to make it 4-1, but it was merely a consolation in a dominant Orlando victory.
The semifinal will be held on either September 15th or 16th, but a final date has not been announced. Orlando has been drawn as the away side against the winner of the Columbus Crew and New York City FC quarterfinal on May 20.
Orlando’s last game before the World Cup break is a trip to take on FC Cincinnati on Saturday.
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