Atlanta United put on a strong display at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Friday night, cruising to a 3-0 win against Orlando City SC as they try to move over the Eastern Conference playoff line. It was Atlanta's fifth win in six games and their first under new head coach Gonzalo Pineda, a former Seattle Sounders assistant who is just in his second season with the Five Stripes. Meanwhile, Orlando's seven-game undefeated record came to an end against its Southeast foe in a devastating way.

The hosts fired an early warning shot when Luiz Araujo's long-range effort hit the woodwork in the fourth minute. Atlanta dominated the first half of the game and was rewarded in the 25th minute when George Campbell headed a beautiful cross from Marcelino Moreno into the net for his maiden Major League Soccer goal. On a set piece in the 38th minute, an Ezequiel Barco free-kick bounced off Daryl Dike and into his own net, giving Atlanta a 2-0 lead.

In the 72nd minute, Barco scored the game-winner, finishing a Brooks Lennon pass with a superb solo effort for his fifth goal of the season. Despite being the No. 2 seed in the East, the Orlando assault failed to pose a serious danger to Brad Guzan's goal.

[Photography by ICONIC photographer Rachel Pearce]