Match recap: Jay Fortune's late leveler earns Atlanta United a point in first match of Orlando doubleheader

Atlanta United's rivalry matchup with Orlando City was looking like a missed opportunity, but Jay Fortune threw his side a lifeline. After having trailed for almost 70 minutes, the midfielder's sweet strike tied the match at 1-1, and it would stay that way as the 5-Stripes drew with the Lions. End-to-end football resulted in plenty of chances for both sides, and the 5-Stripes totaled 20 shots on the evening. Fortune's chance, though, was the only one they needed to walk away with a point. 

What happened

The rivals warmed up into the game throughout the first 15 minutes of play, exchanging attacking moves without consequence. Martín Ojeda slipping behind the 5-Stripes' backline in the 12th minute to register a shot — one that was called back for offsides — was the most dangerous moment for either side. 

But Orlando settled their nerves first and struck in the 18th minute. It was a tap-in finish from Griffin Dorsey, as Iván Angulo snuck behind Tomás Jacob to win the ball in the box and put it across the face of the goal to Dorsey. 

That goal set off the hostility in the building, as chants from the home crowd grew louder and tackles on the pitch got more intense. 

Jay Fortune and Alexey Miranchuk combined for a big chance in the 34th minute, but again the offside flag was raised. Fortune played a smart through ball to set up Miranchuk one-on-one with goalkeeper Maxime Crépeau, who made a quick leg save to deny the chance that wouldn't have stood either way. 

Saba Lobjanidze whipped a shot across the goal and forced a save in the 39th. Lobjanidze's first half was a bright spot for an Atlanta United team in need of creation, as the winger was eager to take players on and put the ball into dangerous areas. The 5-Stripes had a whopping 8 corner kicks in the first half (the second most they've earned in a first half in club history) but weren't able to make anything of them. 

Still, the 5-Stripes were eager to respond and came out of the half by immediately creating a chance. A ball fizzed across the box found Saba, whose shot was too high. 

Martín Ojeda kept posing problems in the 51st minute, and he nearly got a second for the home side. The attacker tried to round Hoyos, but the goalkeeper kept his balance and forced the ball away. 

A Tristan Muyumba longshot forced a handball from Orlando in the 56th minute, setting up a prime free kick for the 5-Stripes. Miranchuk took a crack, but Crépeau saved. 

Miranchuk kept the pressure on in the 61st and nearly equalized after settling the ball with his chest from a Fortune through-pass. The captain tried flicking the ball past the keeper, but it slowly trickled wide of the left post.  

Orlando responded, continuing a string of chances for either side as the midfield became less of a factor and attacks flowed quickly into the attacking thirds. Enea Mihaj made a last-ditch tackle to block a close Martín Ojeda shot in the 65th minute. 

Atlanta United punched back in 75th but couldn't find the leveler after substitutes Matt Edwards and Fafa Picault nearly combined. Edwards played a dangerous ball into the box, but Dorsey made the clearance before it could get to Picault. 

The 5-Stripes were looking to punish Orlando for not putting the match away, and that's exactly what they did in the 86th minute. Edwards and Fortune, the hometown buddies from North Carolina, combined. The right back found the midfielder with space inside the box, and a first-time strike from Fortune was lifted perfectly, soaring into the left side of the net to tie the match at 1-1.  

The 5-Stripes nearly stole a late winner in the 96th minute from a full-team combination that resulted in a Matías Galarza strike that was saved. Down to the first last minute, it was a match ripe with chances. 

Standouts

• Saba Lobjanidze was sharp and direct on the evening. He tallied over 4 shots for the fourth consecutive match, the longest such streak of his career. 
• Jay Fortune stayed persistent even when things weren't clicking for the 5-Stripes and leveled the match late on, continuing an excellent run of form in the middle of the park.

Milestones

• Jay Fortune scored his second goal of the 2026 season and the fourth of his career in MLS play. He's now scored in two consecutive matches after totaling 3 goals in his first 62 career regular-season games.
• Stian Gregersen made a substitute stint to tally his 50th MLS regular season appearance.

Next up

Atlanta United stays right where they are for the second match of the double header against Orlando City SC Tuesday May 19. The 7:30 p.m. kickoff in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup quarterfinal will be a chance for the 5-Stripes to get one step closer to silverware this season.