Atlanta United's mentality has been tested plenty times this season, but perhaps none as much as Wednesday night. On the road in a rivalry match against Charlotte FC, the 5-Stripes were reeling. They were down 2-0 at half, and though they had produced great looks, they were a long way from a result.
The second half changed that. Two first-time goalscorers on the season made their marks and earned Atlanta United a 2-2 draw. It may have been just a point, but it was a point that proved progress.
What happened
Both teams got vertical right from the off, and Charlotte forced a save from Lucas Hoyos in the second minute. They got even closer from a Kerwin Vargas shot that was deflected and soared just outside of the left post a few minutes later.
But the 5-Stripes settled things down and strung some possession together by the 10th minute, testing Charlotte with positive movement from Cooper Sanchez and Alexey Miranchuk.
The hosts took the lead in the 16th minute from a breakaway that saw Hoyos make a one-on-one save before Vargas turned in the rebound. Immediately after, the Video Assistant Referee initiated a review on a Will Reilly tackle during the counterattack. The midfielder was given a yellow card after a lengthy review for catching Ashley Westwood on the leg.
Vargas got another look later on in the 34th minute at the edge of the box after debutant Júnior Alonso made an important tackle. The Colombian forward's volley was deflected again and away from the goal.
In the 38th minute, a well-struck Hoyos clearance fell to Miguel Almirón, who dropped his defender and got one-on-on with Kristijan Kahlina. The keeper made a last-ditch save to deny Atlanta United the equalizer.
Liel Abada made it two for Charlotte in the 45th minute, finishing off a header from a back-post cross from Pep Biel.
Things got frantic to end the first half, as Hoyos made another clutch save in the 48th minute as The Crown pushed for a third. Two minutes later, Miranchuk broke through on goal from an Almirón cross, but Kahlina made another stop.
The 2-0 scoreline at the halftime break was deserved, and even though Atlanta had created great looks, big changes were needed.
Head coach Tata Martino kept his XI out on the pitch, instead opting for other adjustments. And in the 57th minute, the 5-Stripes found a lifeline. Elías Báez roved forward from his left back position and got on the end of a Tomás Jacob cross. His header was powerful and driven low, and it bounced past Kahlina into the net to make it 2-1.
A new breathe of hope for Atlanta United was slowed by four Charlotte substitutions, and the hosts responded by pressuring with fresh legs. So the 5-Stripes slowed things down and possessed, opting for patience in the face of a revitalized home side.
The 5-Stripes earned a free kick in the 73rd minute, and Báez nearly had another headed goal. Kahlina made a save after Almirón whipped in a sweeping ball to the center of the box.
Patience paid off in the 76th minute, and it was Almirón to level to score. Báez whipped in a ball that Jacob headed across the face of goal, and Almirón fired off a right-footed shot that found the back of the net for 2-2.
In the 89th minute, 17-year-old Ignacio Suarez-Couri made his First Team debut with Atlanta United, becoming the fifth-youngest player to make his debut for the 5-Stripes.
Charlotte were the protagonists as the game drew to its close, but after nine minutes of additional time, they weren't able to turn the tides. Atlanta United completed its first ever comeback against The Crown to earn a result.
Standouts
- Even having conceded twice, Lucas Hoyos prevented the match from getting out of hand on multiple occasions. He made multiple one-on-one stops in the first half and totaled 8 saves on the night, his most in any league match since June 2023.
- Miguel Almirón return from a World Cup campaign has been bright. The captain scored, tallied 4 shots, 3 chances created and completed 33-of-37 pass attempts.
Milestones
- Miguel Almirón scored his first goal of the 2026 season.
- Júnior Alonso made his debut with Atlanta United and played just over 90 minutes.
- Lucas Hoyos became one of two MLS goalkeepers ever to tally 7 or more saves, a tackle and a chance created since advanced tracking began in 2010.
- Elías Báez scored his first goal in an Atlanta United shirt. The left back's headed effort in the 57th minute was his second professional goal in a club match.
- Ignacio Suarez-Couri made his First Team debut, becoming the fifth-youngest player to ever do so in Atlanta United's history at 17 years of age.
- The 5-Stripes earned a comeback result against Charlotte FC for the first time in club history.
Next up
The 5-Stripes won't return to Atlanta this week and will instead fly directly to the Northeast to face New England Revolution. The match will kick off at 7:30 p.m. ET Saturday, July 25.
