Orlando came into town to face Atlanta in the MLS rivalry game of the week and hoped to gain ground on an already tight playoff race in the Eastern Conference. Atlanta, on the other hand, is still looking at the playoff race from the outside. Orlando scored off a free kick by Mauricio Pereyra to open the scoring in this one. He managed to get the ball just high enough over the wall to bank it into the far corner. Rocco Rios Novo and the rest of the team were looking for a call, but nevertheless, a call was not given. This goal was Pereyra's first goal in more than a calendar year. Luiz Araújo had an opportunity to score for Atlanta off of a free kick in the 37th minute. Unfortunately, this was an unsuccessful attempt. Araújo crossed the ball to Ronaldo Cisneros, who attempted to head it into the net, but was met by Pedro Gallese, who jumped to the top of the crossbar to get a hand on the ball to save a goal.

Atlanta was trying very hard to get back into the game. They had numerous corners, free kicks, and more shots attempted throughout the game. They did, however, find the back of the net in the 71st minute. Thiago Almada was taking a free kick and instead of taking it upon himself to shoot it, he found Juan José Purata, who poked his head up as the ball was in mid-air and was able to head it in the net to tie the game up. This was Juan's third game in MLS since coming on as a loan from Tigres UANL and his first goal in MLS. Atlanta would continue to keep the pressure on Orlando for the final twenty minutes. Josef Martinez would try to score on multiple occasions, including one that nearly went in but hit the post instead, but couldn't find the back of the net. Orlando had one shot that almost went in as time was winding down, but that shot hit the post as well. The game ended in a draw in front of 42,526 fans at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

[Photography by ICONIC photographer Rachel Pearce]