Fortune, Edwards combine to steal a point at Orlando City SC

PLAY THE MFING KIDS!!!!!

The Five Stripes needed a hero at Inter&Co Stadium on Saturday night, and their homegrowns answered the call as Jay Fortune and Matt Edwards combined to force a 1-1 draw at Orlando City in Matchday 14 of the MLS regular season.

A point does little to improve Atlanta United’s position in the standings, but it’s better than nothing. With 11 points through 13 games and a 3-8-2 record, the Five Stripes stay 14th in the Eastern Conference and put distance between them and last-place Philadelphia Union (seven points).

Tata Martino made three modifications to the lineup that fell 2-1 to LA Galaxy at home last weekend. Enea Mihaj entered at center back in place of Stian Gregersen, while Jay Fortune slotted into the midfield to replace Cooper Sanchez, who was out due to illness. Emmanuel Latte Lath began on the bench to allow Will Reilly to slot into midfield and move Alexey Miranchuk to the false 9 role, where he has found success this season.

The hosts took an early lead after a systemic breakdown of Atlanta United’s backline that started with Enea Mihaj getting nutmegged, continued with Tomas Jacob losing a race to Ivan Angulo and Juan Berrocal failing to cover Griffin Dorsey’s run into the box.

Although things didn’t look very good in the first 45 minutes, the Five Stripes’ attack fired up in the second half, and the insistence was rewarded late as Jay Fortune hit a first-time screamer to level the match with his second goal in as many games. The assist was an excellent cutback from homegrown right back Matt Edwards, who entered the match as a substitute.

Despite Atlanta trying to find a way to steal all three points, their efforts yielded no success, and the team settled for the draw.

The Five Stripes will return to Inter&Co Stadium to face Orlando City SC on Tuesday, May 19, in the quarterfinals of the US Open Cup.

What did you think of the match? Let us know in the comments below.