Atlanta United breaks their seven game winless streak at home, thanks to a bizarre, beautiful gift from Jamal Thiaré, to win 2-1 over Toronto FC.
The game started with both teams fighting for possession, and Toronto was coming away with a few chances. In the 25th minute, Toronto’s Jahkeele Marshall-Rutty delivered a cross to Lorenzo Insigne who headed it into the back of the net, but it was called offside and brought back after intervention from the VAR.
Atlanta had a few dangerous opportunities throughout the rest of the half, but couldn’t capitalize until first half stoppage time.
Two minutes into it, Derrick Williams played a great ball to Thiago Almada who passed it to Daniel Rios, and Rios delivered it right back to Almada, who was one on one with the goalkeeper Luka Gavran, slotted it into the net to make it 1-0 going into halftime.
Only a minute into the second half, Toronto FC would find the equalizer. Lorenzo Insigne delivered a long diagonal ball to Federico Bernardeschi in the 46th minute who brought it down, dribbled forward and sent a curling shot past Brad Guzan after beating Caleb Wiley on the dribble.
It would continue to be a back and forth battle until the 97th minute when Jamal Thiaré delivered a wonder goal the likes of which are rarely seen. Thiaré went to grab water next to the goal after Gavran fell on top of the ball inside the six yard box. Gavran didn’t know Thiaré was behind him and he dropped the ball to the ground to play it long. Thiaré was walking up behind Gavran, then pouned to spring around him and steal the ball back. He was then able to round Gavran and launch a shot to an empty net to give the Five Stripes three points with essentially the last kick of the match.
“That’s what we were joking about, exactly how we wanted it. I would say I’m on the younger side of coaching and the younger side of being in the game, but I have never seen anything like that,” said interim head coach Rob Valentino. “I made the joke to Dax [McCarty], after I ridiculously went sprinting down the sideline, that he has played 20 years now and I bet he has never seen a finish like that. It was incredible, bizarre, but I’m glad we’re on this side of it.”
Brad Guzan told the Full Time Report on 92.9 The Game, "Dax and I were joking as we were walking off the field, I don't think we've ever seen that in all of our years combined."
This is the first win at Mercedes Benz Stadium for the Five Stripes since March, and the crowd was rowdy and proud.
“I think it's massive. Just like you said, we haven't won in a few games, so I think this is a massive confidence boost,” said Derrick Willaims. “So now, hopefully we can turn this place back into a fortress.”
Atlanta will go back on the road again this week for another double match week. This win is huge for the club especially as they are away from home again.
“I mean it will only help us in the best of ways. I think we really needed that win, not just a win, but a win at home to get back to the fans because they emotionally deserve that. I think it was a boost in confidence,” said Caleb Wiley. “We go back on the road next week, two away games, two hard opponents. So I think the boys are in pretty high spirits after this win and we'll go to New England and try to do the same thing.”
Atlanta United is back in action Wednesday, July 3 as they head to Gillette Stadium to take on New England Revolution with kickoff set for 7:40 p.m.
✍️: Madison Crews
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