Expansion club adds to Orange’s misery on road

Torres converts penalty kick for lone highlight

ATLANTA — Just when the Dynamo thought it could not get worse on the road, it did.

The Dynamo lost to expansion Atlanta United FC 4-1 on Saturday night at Bobby Dodd Stadium.

It is the Dynamo’s fifth loss in as many road games this season.

The first four were maddening enough because they came by a two-goal margins.

Saturday night’s loss would have been double that had it not been for Erick Torres’ conversion of a penalty kick in the 90th minute.

Earlier this season, Torres did what Atlanta’s Miguel Almiron did on Saturday night — score a hat trick.

Almiron, a 23-year-old high-priced signing from Paraguay, netted goals in the 30th and 42nd minutes to give the hosts a 2-0 halftime lead.

Almiron added a penalty kick of his own in the 80th minute for his first career hat trick.

Almiron’s first goal came on a dizzying play off a throw-in. He picked up a short pass near the top of the semicircle at the penalty area.

His first touch created space just inside the box. He ripped a left-footed shot over the outstretched arms of goalkeeper Joe Willis and just under the cross bar.

Almiron’s second came from the middle of the box after he could not settle a short pass from the left side.

Dynamo defender Leonardo got to the loose ball, but it dropped for Almiron to sweep his left leg as he fell to hit it past defender Adolfo Machado.

Julian Gressel tapped home a loose ball during a scramble in the box in the 76th minute.

The Dynamo, who also played Wednesday night at Philadelphia, began the game without Alberth Elis (injury), Romell Quioto (rest) and Torres (rest).

Instead of their favored 4-3-3 formation with high pressing tactics, the Dynamo used a 4-1-4-1 and picked fewer spots to pressure.

They had some chances with those tactics in the first half but lacked danger in the attacking third.

Kickoff was delayed by 47 minutes by lightning in the area.

Alex Kahn made four saves for Atlanta (4-4-3) before Torres picked up his team-leading ninth goal.

The Dynamo (6-5-1) are 2-20-8 in their last 30 road games and have been outscored by 32 goals.