Hector Villalba struck late for the second time in as many matches to help Atlanta United salvage a 1-1 draw with Orlando City SC in a thrilling encounter to bring the curtain down on the Five Stripes' tenure at Bobby Dodd Stadium on Saturday.
Two minutes into second-half stoppage time, Villalba took Yamil Asad's throughball and hammered a low finish beyond Orlando goalkeeper Joe Bendik. That goal, his 10th of the season, came six minutes later than the screamer he scored to give Atlanta all three points in a 1-0 victory at Orlando just eight days prior.
Villalba's strike canceled out Kaká's screamer from distance late in the first half. Until very late, it looked as if the Brazilian superstar's fourth goal of the season would be the main storyline on a day billed as the Orlando MLS debut of newly acquired forward Dom Dwyer.
The Five Stripes saw their four-game winning streak come to an end, but are unbeaten in their last five and have taken four points out of six from their potential Southeastern rivals. The Lions are winless in their last three.
- Villalba emerges as Alanta United's best foil for Orlando City SC
- Armchair Analyst: On Dom Dwyer's debut, OCSC struggle to stay engaged
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Villalba has now started all 21 games for Atlanta, and yet with his late heroics over his last two games may be making a bid for even more playing time from coach Gerardo “Tata” Martino. The 23-year-old Argentine now has two goals after the 85th minute despite being removed at or before that mark in 16 of his 21 starts.
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