Atlanta United defeated Inter Miami in the first round of the MLS playoffs, but their postseason ended with a 1-0 loss to Orlando City.
The Five Stripes headed into Sunday's Eastern Conference semi-final at Inter&Co Stadium full of confidence, having knocked Lionel Messi and the rest of Miami's stars out of the play-offs last time out.
Yet it was Orlando who booked a place in the Eastern Conference final for the first time in club history thanks to Ramiro Enrique's winner in the 39th minute.
Enrique ran in from close range after Atlanta failed to clear their lines from a corner.
That goal came after Orlando had started well, 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, to whom they had lost just four times in 22 meetings prior to this match, Atlanta pushed for an equalizer after the break but were unable to find a way out through a robust Lions defense.
Orlando will now host the New York Red Bulls in next week's Eastern Conference finals, with a place in the MLS Cup final on the line.
.@ORLANDOCITYSC ARE GOING TO THEIR FIRST EASTERN CONFERENCE FINAL!
Audi #MLSCupPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/TiP8AbP4ck
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) November 24, 2024
Data Debrief: Stay away from the lion's den
Fresh off 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 off a great weekend of sports for the city.
And that's exactly what they did, with the support of a vocal crowd helping them over the finish line. Those fans will be called upon again next week when the Red Bulls roll into town, but Orlando needn't fear. They have lost just one of their last 14 home games in all competitions (W9 D4 including two wins on penalties and one loss on penalties).
And while Atlanta huffed and puffed, they never really threatened to blow the door down as Orlando limited them to just eight shots, none of which hit the target.
Orlando did indeed have openings on the counter and could have put the game to bed with a little more composure as they finished with 1.3 expected goals to Atlanta's 0.4 xG.
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