Atlanta United was able to stop the four game losing streak, but dropped two points against NYCFC in a 2-2 draw at Mercedes Benz Stadium on Wednesday. Atlanta led 2-0 at halftime, but conceded twice in the second half.
Atlanta United started out strong just 21 seconds into the match as Daniel Rios found the back of the net after Tristan Muyumba flicked the ball into the box, Saba Lobjanidze got a touch that found Rios to make it 1-0. This was the fastest goal scored in Atlanta United history.
“I think in the first half, even on the kickoff, right off the kickoff we were more brave, direct, and playing in the half, and the goal came right away,” said interim head coach Rob Valentino. “Right away, I was very pleased, yes, and then I felt like [the team] stuck with that aggression and that bravery to play, but now the big thing is trying to figure out why we dropped off.”
In the 10th minute, a penalty was awarded to Atlanta when Derrick Williams was tripped up in the box. After a long review, Xande Silva was ruled to be in an offside position before his pass to Williams which negated the penalty decision.
NYCFC grew more into the match throughout the first half, and was able to pin Atlanta into its defensive third for a while. Brad Guzan and Atlanta were able to hold their own as they held off any promising attack from the visitors.
In the 38th minute, it was Saba Time. Xande Silva dribbled into the 18 and rifled a shot from a difficult angle on the left, Matt Freese was able to block the shot but could not hold it. Lobjanidze pounced on the rebound to make it 2-0.
In the 65th minute, NYCFC pulled one back when Bartosz Slisz passed it backwards right to Monsef Bakrar at the edge of the 18 to make it 2-1.
“I think it was two different halves and the first half we played very good, but in the second half it was not what we wanted,” said Saba Lobjanidze. “New York played good the second half and were different in the second half and that’s why we didn’t win the game.”
The goal gave NYCFC life and they found an equalizer at the 82nd minute when a penalty was given to NYCFC after Talles Magno went down inside the 18 under pressure from Brooks Lennon. Magno converted the penalty to level the match.
“We have to. There’s no other way to go about it,” said Brad Guzan when asked about preparing for Columbus after the draw. “It's a difficult moment. We dropped points tonight, for sure. We got to bounce back. No one's going to do it for us. We got to keep going.”
Atlanta United is back at the Benz this Saturday as they host the 2023 MLS Cup Champions in Columbus Crew at 7:30 p.m.
✍️: Madison Crews
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