Orlando City (4-8-2, 14 points) took an early lead Saturday night, but the Lions allowed Atlanta United (3-8-2, 11 points) back into the game to earn a 1-1 draw in front of a crowd of 20,074 at Inter&Co Stadium.
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“I would say we deserve the win. I mean, it’s a better feeling to win at home. We would be happier, but there is no time to be sad,” Orlando forward Marco Pašalić said. “We have to learn from our mistakes, do the things good that we did good, and give the fans and the club a good game on Tuesday.”
Atlanta evened the score in the 86th minute with a goal from Jay Fortune. Atlanta had been building momentum throughout the second half, outshooting Orlando 15-4 after the break. It was only a matter of time, and Fortune timed his strike perfectly to get it past Crepeau to earn a point for the visitors.
Both sides were feeling each other out before a second matchup in the U.S. Open Cup Quarterfinal on Tuesday. Orlando fielded a full-strength lineup, while Atlanta gave some of its starters, like Emannuel Latte Lath, a chance to rest.
Griffin Dorsey scored for the Lions in the 18th minute. Martin Ojeda started the sequence with a pass to Ivan Angulo in the box. Angulo squared it to Dorsey, who routinely knocked it home to put Orlando up 1-0.
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“It’s a play that we’d really trained and worked on a lot. When Martin (Ojeda) or Justin (Ellis) gets the ball, just run into space, try and find that space, and then turn and try and find a teammate on the other extreme of the field,” Angulo said.
Orlando captain Robin Jansson went down with a knock in the first half. He was taken off for Iago at halftime, and there was no official word about the nature of the injury just after the game. Orlando’s defense was significantly less organized after he left the game, and the Lions will hope it is nothing major.
Orlando player Griffin Dorsey (24) celebrates after scoring a goal during the Atlanta United at Orlando City MLS soccer match at Inter&Co Stadium in Orlando on Saturday, May 16, 2026. The game ended in a 1-1 draw. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
Orlando player Martin Ojeda (10) collides with Atlanta goalkeeper Lucas Hoyos (right) during the Atlanta United at Orlando City MLS soccer match at Inter&Co Stadium in Orlando on Saturday, May 16, 2026. The game ended in a 1-1 draw. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
Orlando fans cheer during the Atlanta United at Orlando City MLS soccer match at Inter&Co Stadium in Orlando on Saturday, May 16, 2026. The game ended in a 1-1 draw. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
Orlando player Marco Pasalic falls during the Atlanta United at Orlando City MLS soccer match at Inter&Co Stadium in Orlando on Saturday, May 16, 2026. The game ended in a 1-1 draw. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
Orlando fans cheer during the Atlanta United at Orlando City MLS soccer match at Inter&Co Stadium in Orlando on Saturday, May 16, 2026. The game ended in a 1-1 draw. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
Orlando coach Martin Perelman (right) hugs Orlando player Marco Pasalic (87) during the Atlanta United at Orlando City MLS soccer match at Inter&Co Stadium in Orlando on Saturday, May 16, 2026. The game ended in a 1-1 draw. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
Orlando player Martin Ojeda (top) leaps during the Atlanta United at Orlando City MLS soccer match at Inter&Co Stadium in Orlando on Saturday, May 16, 2026. The game ended in a 1-1 draw. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
Orlando goalkeeper Maxime Crepeau (arms in air) leaps among players to make a stop during the Atlanta United at Orlando City MLS soccer match at Inter&Co Stadium in Orlando on Saturday, May 16, 2026. The game ended in a 1-1 draw. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
Orlando players huddle during the Atlanta United at Orlando City MLS soccer match at Inter&Co Stadium in Orlando on Saturday, May 16, 2026. The game ended in a 1-1 draw. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
Orlando player Eduard Atuesta (20) heads the ball during the Atlanta United at Orlando City MLS soccer match at Inter&Co Stadium in Orlando on Saturday, May 16, 2026. The game ended in a 1-1 draw. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
Orlando City’s Griffin Dorsey (24) celebrates with teammate Ivan Angulo (77) after scoring a goal against Atlanta United at Inter&Co Stadium in Orlando on Saturday. The game ended in a 1-1 draw. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
Orlando player Braian Ojeda (8) moves the ball in front of Atlanta player Tomas Jacob (55) during the Atlanta United at Orlando City MLS soccer match at Inter&Co Stadium in Orlando on Saturday, May 16, 2026. The game ended in a 1-1 draw. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
Orlando goalkeeper Maxime Crepeau (left) and Orlando player David Brekalo (right) combine to make a stop during the Atlanta United at Orlando City MLS soccer match at Inter&Co Stadium in Orlando on Saturday, May 16, 2026. The game ended in a 1-1 draw. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
Orlando player Ivan Angulo chases the ball during the Atlanta United at Orlando City MLS soccer match at Inter&Co Stadium in Orlando on Saturday, May 16, 2026. The game ended in a 1-1 draw. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
Orlando player Marco Pasalic (87) tries to get the ball past Atlanta player Elias Baez (3) during the Atlanta United at Orlando City MLS soccer match at Inter&Co Stadium in Orlando on Saturday, May 16, 2026. The game ended in a 1-1 draw. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
Orlando fans cheer during the Atlanta United at Orlando City MLS soccer match at Inter&Co Stadium in Orlando on Saturday, May 16, 2026. The game ended in a 1-1 draw. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
Orlando player Marco Pasalic (87) heads the ball during the Atlanta United at Orlando City MLS soccer match at Inter&Co Stadium in Orlando on Saturday, May 16, 2026. The game ended in a 1-1 draw. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
A colorful tifo is unfurled before the Atlanta United at Orlando City MLS soccer match at Inter&Co Stadium in Orlando on Saturday, May 16, 2026. The game ended in a 1-1 draw. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
Orlando player Griffin Dorsey (24) celebrates after scoring a goal during the Atlanta United at Orlando City MLS soccer match at Inter&Co Stadium in Orlando on Saturday, May 16, 2026. The game ended in a 1-1 draw. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
Orlando player Martin Ojeda kicks at goal during the Atlanta United at Orlando City MLS soccer match at Inter&Co Stadium in Orlando on Saturday, May 16, 2026. The game ended in a 1-1 draw. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
Orlando player Martin Ojeda (right) can’t quite get the ball past Atlanta goalkeeper Lucas Hoyos (left) during the Atlanta United at Orlando City MLS soccer match at Inter&Co Stadium in Orlando on Saturday, May 16, 2026. The game ended in a 1-1 draw. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
Orlando players leap to try to stop a kick during the Atlanta United at Orlando City MLS soccer match at Inter&Co Stadium in Orlando on Saturday, May 16, 2026. The game ended in a 1-1 draw. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
Orlando player Griffin Dorsey (24) tries to get the ball from Atlanta player Enea Mihaj (4) during the Atlanta United at Orlando City MLS soccer match at Inter&Co Stadium in Orlando on Saturday, May 16, 2026. The game ended in a 1-1 draw. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
Orlando player Braian Ojeda (8) and Atlanta player Matias Galarza (88) battle for the ball during the Atlanta United at Orlando City MLS soccer match at Inter&Co Stadium in Orlando on Saturday, May 16, 2026. The game ended in a 1-1 draw. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
Orlando player Ivan Angulo (77) leaps over Atlanta player Elias Baez (bottom) during the Atlanta United at Orlando City MLS soccer match at Inter&Co Stadium in Orlando on Saturday, May 16, 2026. The game ended in a 1-1 draw. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
Atlanta player Jay Fortune (35) celebrates with teammates and coaches after scoring a goal during the Atlanta United at Orlando City MLS soccer match at Inter&Co Stadium in Orlando on Saturday, May 16, 2026. The game ended in a 1-1 draw. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
Atlanta coach Gerardo Martino yells during the Atlanta United at Orlando City MLS soccer match at Inter&Co Stadium in Orlando on Saturday, May 16, 2026. The game ended in a 1-1 draw. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
Now Orlando turns its focus to Tuesday. The Lions will need to play a more complete game to advance in the U.S. Open Cup.
“We’re not gonna forget the opponent, but we are forgetting the bad things. We’ll work it out tomorrow,” Pašalić added. “We’re gonna forget the bad things and work on the good things to have the perfect matchup for Tuesday, because there is like only winning and no excuses.”
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