ATLANTA, GEORGIA—Mexican centerback Juanjo Purata showed the Atlanta United community on July 17 that he is a good defender and a capable football scorer. In front of the home crowd inside the Mercedes-Benz stadium, Purata scored a late header to help the home team salvage a 1-1 draw against the visiting Orlando City.
Orlando played well in the first half as they scored a goal via a penalty kick in the first 15 minutes of the game from Midfielder Mauricio Pereyra. The United equalized the score in the second half from Purata’s header. After the score became tied at 1-1, both teams tried to score another goal, but their efforts were futile as they ended the game with a draw.
The draw allowed United to gain a point in the Eastern Conference standings. United hopes to keep their winning momentum when they play two consecutive road games against L.A. Galaxy and Chicago Fire. Then, the club returns home on August 6 to face Gonzalo Pineda’s former team, the Seattle Sounders.
