ATLUTD Says Goodbye To Bobby Dodd With A Late Equalizer

Starting Lineup

Atlanta United drew Orlando City 1-1 on Saturday, July 29, 2017, in the second meeting between the teams in eight days. Orlando had carried Kaká’s first-half goal deep into stoppage time, but Héctor Villalba scored in the 91st minute to give Atlanta a point and deny Orlando a road win in the final MLS match at Bobby Dodd Stadium.

Atlanta had beaten Orlando 1-0 on July 21 at Orlando City Stadium, also on a late Villalba goal. The rematch brought the series to Atlanta, gave Orlando a first MLS look at Dom Dwyer in purple, and put Villalba at the center of the matchup again.

On a sunny July afternoon at Bobby Dodd Stadium, Atlanta United played its final match at its temporary home.

1st Half

Atlanta kept the same starting group from the win in Orlando, with Brad Guzan in goal, Michael Parkhurst captaining the back line, Jeff Larentowicz and Carlos Carmona in midfield, and Miguel Almirón, Yamil Asad, Julian Gressel and Villalba across the attacking group. Orlando started Dwyer with Cyle Larin, giving Jason Kreis a new forward pairing only days after Dwyer arrived from Sporting Kansas City.

Orlando created the first real scare shortly after the kick. From distance, Scott Sutter worked his way into shooting position and curled a left-footed attempt off the bar. It gave Atlanta an early reminder that Orlando could threaten without needing much buildup.

Almirón created the first clear chance for Atlanta in the 15th minute. He found room outside the box and hit a low shot off the bottom of the post. Orlando survived the first warning from Atlanta’s attack.

The half grew more physical as Atlanta pushed through Asad and Villalba. Asad was booked in the 23rd minute after dragging down Cristian Higuita, and Orlando continued to look for Kaká between Atlanta’s midfield and back line when it had the chance to get out.

In the 39th minute, Villalba cut back inside the box and laid the ball off for Almirón. Almirón’s shot struck the inside of the post and came back across goal. Villalba followed the rebound with a shot but hit the outside netting.

Seconds later, Orlando went ahead. Joe Bendik sent a long goal kick toward Larin, and Atlanta could not get to the first or second ball. Larin laid it off for Kaká, who bent a shot from distance into the top corner to make it 1-0 in the 40th minute.

Atlanta went to halftime trailing despite having the better attack.

2nd Half

Orlando nearly doubled the lead in the 49th minute. Nocerino played the ball to Larin, and Larin sent it toward Dwyer inside the six. Atlanta blocked the chance and kept the match within reach.

Almirón took a free kick from the top of the box in the 53rd minute and put it over the bar. Two minutes later, a confrontation brought players from both teams together. Villalba and Higuita were both booked in the 55th minute.

Both teams went to the bench after the hour mark. Martino brought on Brandon Vázquez for Gressel, while Orlando removed both starting forwards, with Giles Barnes replacing Larin and Carlos Rivas replacing Dwyer.

Atlanta kept the game in Orlando’s half as the match moved into the final 15 minutes. Martino used his last two changes in the 75th minute, bringing on Michael Ambrose and Kevin Kratz, while Orlando replaced Higuita with Richie Laryea.

Atlanta finally broke through in the first minute of stoppage time. Almirón found Asad near the edge of Orlando’s penalty area. Asad played a through ball for Villalba’s diagonal run, and Villalba calmly finished past Bendik to make it 1-1. The goal gave Villalba his second late finish against Orlando in eight days.

The final whistle came in the 95th minute, leaving Atlanta with a point from its final match at Bobby Dodd Stadium.

Closing Thoughts

Things can be two things. Atlanta had rescued a point in stoppage time, but it had also left chances on the field. The ball, the pressure and the better chances belonged to Atlanta for long stretches, and Martino said afterward that Atlanta had controlled the game. The issue was in the final action.

Atlanta also left with another Villalba moment against Orlando. He scored the late winner at Orlando City Stadium on July 21, then scored again in stoppage time eight days later at Bobby Dodd. His equalizer gave Atlanta four points from the first two meetings between the clubs and kept the final match at Bobby Dodd from ending with a loss.

Bobby Dodd was temporary, but it never felt that way. Atlanta United played its first home opener there, built its first home-field record there, and gave its supporters the first version of what matchday could feel like in the city. The move to Mercedes-Benz Stadium was always coming, but this was the night the first home closed.

Orlando left Bobby Dodd with Kaká’s goal, Dwyer’s debut and a road point that had been minutes away from becoming more. Atlanta left with another late Villalba goal against Orlando and four points from the first two meetings between the clubs.

Atlanta’s time at Bobby Dodd ended with the club still moving forward. The team had been built from scratch, had already turned into a playoff contender, and now leaves for the stadium built to propel it forward.