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Barco, Martinez Magic Keeps Orlando at Arm’s Length For Now.

Level on points with Impact, but now a game more played ...

MLS: Atlanta United FC at Orlando City SC
Atlanta United midfielder Pity Martinez waves to Atlanta fans in the Orlando crowd after United had won this evening’s game 1-0.
Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

King of the Goals, Josef Martinez came up trumps again tonight, at the same time doing the Montreal Impact a favour, by notching the only goal in the first of this evening’s games against Orlando at Exploria Stadium.

He also set-up a new MLS record with at least one goal per game in each of his last 12 MLS appearances.

Martinez combined well with Ezequiel Barco, whose clever return pass set the Venezuelan up for his 22nd goal of the season. The master-finisher still had a bit to do, but curled a beautiful shot beyond the dive of Brian Rowe.

The goal, Martinez’s 17th in his last 12 games, was the result of a quick break, after Orlando lost possession in the Atlanta half.

The result continues Atlanta’s dominance over Orlando as #RivalsWeek continues. City has never ever beaten United in MLS-play. Atlanta has won 6 and there has been two stalemates, in eight all-time meetings.

Orlando outshot their opponents and missed several chances on a night when a tie would have taken them one point above Montreal Impact (and Toronto FC) and into the play-off places, at least temporarily.