Atlanta United rang in their last home match of the 2024 regular season against New York Red Bulls and honored a great cause while doing it. Tonight’s match recognized pediatric illness awareness. Throughout the match there were elements of gold themes. Both the honorary captain and Golden Spike hitter are pediatric warriors. The gold ribbon is the international symbol for childhood cancer. Click here to learn more.
The evening was made even more special by Atlanta United walking away with a much needed 2-1 win. A converted penalty shot from Alexey Miranchuk and a goal from homegrown Tyler Wolff gave Atlanta the victory.
Playoff picture for Atlanta United
Coming into this match, Atlanta sat in 12th in the Eastern Conference with 34 points; three points out of the playoff cutoff where Toronto FC sat. Saturday afternoon, Toronto FC played Inter Miami to a 1-0 loss, which worked in Atlanta’s favor. Toronto, Philadelphia Union, and D.C United all sat at 37 points at the beginning of the match.
Results Saturday moved D.C. United up to 40 points. CF Montréal sits at 40 and Philadelphia Union has the same points as Atlanta, 37. None of these teams clinched a playoff spot, which means the final Eastern Conference playoff spots will be determined on Decision Day and will go to two of the following four clubs: D.C. United, CF Montréal, Philadelphia Union and Atlanta United.
Regardless, the 5-Stripes held their destiny in their own hands Saturday night. With only a game left, coming on Decision Day against Orlando City, Atlanta United needed to win Saturday's match to remain in contention.
"I told them we need to focus on us and put the pressure on every other team. We just need to win our games," said interim head coach Rob Valentino after the match. "That has been the message."
How a feisty set of circumstances earned the 5-Stripes a goal
To local media after practice at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Training Ground, several Atlanta United players said they expected a hard-fought match against New York. They were proven right when in the second half a flurry of events led to a goal for the 5-Stripes.
It all began with NYRB’s Dylan Nealis receiving a red card when he fouled Edwin Mosquera in the 66th minute of the match -- meaning New York would be playing down a man the rest of the game. Only three minutes later more tempers flared. Jamal Thiaré being taken down by Noah Eile leads to a penalty shot being awarded to Atlanta United. Red Bulls’ midfielder Emil Forsberg and keeper Carlos Coronel earned yellow cards, along with Atlanta's Stian Gregersen after a post whistle scuffle.
Alexey Miranchuk stepped up to the penalty area for Atlanta and put home the opening goal of the match, and his second converted penalty goal of the season. His last one came against NYRB as well back at Red Bull Arena on September 21.
Atlanta United would then extend the lead and give themselves hope for the playoffs when during second-half stoppage time, Tyler Wolff doubled Atlanta's lead. After a beautiful long ball from Miranchuk, Wolff made the run of his life to get behind Red Bull defenders. He went 1v1 with Coronel and scored his first goal of the season.
"I tried to stay more central because I know Alexey (Miranchuk) has a really nice left foot," said Wolff about how the goal was set up. "Obviously, them (New York) being down a man means they are throwing a lot forward. Once I was in on goal, I was just trying to stay calm in the 1v1."
What changes were made between the last time these clubs faced off?
Back on September 21, Atlanta traveled to New Jersey to take on the Red Bulls. The 2-2 draw they walked away with was the first result the 5-Stripes have earned in Red Bulls Arena since 2018. The two clubs traded goals, including a converted penalty kick for Atlanta and keeper Brad Guzan saving a penalty kick, but it was goal in the dying minutes of stoppage time from NYRB’s Elias Manoel that tied the match.
The most notable change between the two matches is the lineup fielded for it. Brooks Lennon was not available for interim head coach Rob Valentino for this October meeting because of yellow card accumulation. Edwin Mosquera, who scored an absolute rocket of a goal against NYRB in the prior meeting to give Atlanta the short-lived lead, Jamal Thiaré, and Ronald Hernández made the starting XI Saturday. Hernández missed time due to injury; his last MLS start was back in July.
"He shows up every single day to do his job to the best of his ability, and he hasn’t played in a long time, so to put in a performance like that, play longer than 45 minutes was incredible," said Valentino about Hernández. "He played the whole match, and it is just a testament to who he is as a person, but that is a good example of a good pro."
With striker Thiaré and winger Mosquera starting, offense was clearly on the mind for Atlanta. On September 21, Atlanta went with a starting backline of five. For the home match, they opted for a back four. During the previous match, Red Bulls looked aggressive in the final third but Atlanta managed to limit the scoring. This time, the switch was flipped as Atlanta dominated in possession and shots. Though there was no goals in the first half, a new intensity was seen throughout the lineup from the first whistle.
Atlanta United | New York Red Bulls | |
|---|---|---|
Shots | 20 | 7 |
Shots on target | 6 | 2 |
Corner kicks | 9 | 4 |
Fouls committed | 7 | 13 |
xG | 2.9 | 0.9 |
Possession | 63% | 37% |
Passing Accuracy | 87% | 75% |
Did Atlanta United get off to a better start? (Hint: Yes!)
For the last couple of matches, Atlanta has conceded the first goal to their opponents. For this match, Atlanta began on the right foot. Defender Stian Gregersen has one of the better chances of the first half in the ninth minute. His shot from the center of the box was stopped by Coronel. After Brad Guzan came off his line to make an initial save in the 14th minute, Hernández made an alert play to clear the ball from the goal line.
Something Atlanta United improved on in this game versus the previous five matches is winning second balls. After John Tolkin received a yellow card for his foul on Thiaré in the 32nd minute, Saba Lobjanidze’s corner shot from outside box went just left of the goal.
The 5-Stripes looked far more dangerous and open during this match compared to not only the previous one against NYRB, but the past few matches as a whole.
"It felt different. The first half, although there were no goals at that point, it felt different," said Valentino. "The energy inside the building felt different. The intensity, the commitment level, and the real belief in each other felt different to me, and it looked different."
What's next for Atlanta United?
Atlanta will travel to Florida for the last match of the season to take on Orlando City. The match will be held on October 19 because of the October international break. Fans not planning on attending the match can watch on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV (6:00 p.m. EST, MLS Season Pass, 92.9 The Game, La Mejor).
