Match recap: Atlanta United falls in final match of season to Red Bull New York

In their final match of the 2026 season, Atlanta United fell to Red Bull New York 3-0. Goalkeeper Jayden Hibbert made important early saves, but the 5-Stripes conceded too many chances to stay in the match. 

What happened

Jayden Hibbert, making his first start of the season, was almost immediately called into action, making a full-extension save to his left halfway through the first minute of the match. 

There was practically no midfield in the first five minutes, with both teams bypassing it quickly with direct transitions. Miguel Almirón hit the post from one of those transitions in the 7th minute, as he and Breel Embolo had a two-on-one with Ethan Horvath in goal. The Atlanta United captain elected to shoot at the near post, and his shot rattled off it and away. 

It was a chaotic first 20 minutes in total, and Atlanta United had the better of the chances. Their buildup down the right flank was quite effective at generating open crossing attempts. 

The Red Bulls charged back and nearly took the lead in the 22nd minute. Jorge Ruvalcaba's open shot in the middle of the box was deflected wide of the right post after the ball rolled through a few 50-50 challenges. 

Hibbert stayed locked in when a challenge fell to Ruvalcaba. He drove forward towards the Atlanta United keeper, who stuffed his shot for his third save of the early going. 

Adri Mehmeti opened up the scoring in the 31st minute from a choppy sequence where Paulo Díaz hit the turf trying to make a stop. Mehmeti slipped behind the defense, got a shot off and collected the rebound after Hibbert's initial save. He had to avoid another dive from Hibbert before putting the ball into an open net. 

Red Bull New York didn't stop there, pressing through with cutting through balls over the middle of the pitch. Devin Padelford hit the crossbar in the 35th minute on a close-range effort from the left side of the 6-yard box that was pummeled.  

As the match reached halftime, the hosts had a staggering 2.3 expected goals generated to Atlanta United's 0.6. Settling down the transition play and letting their buildup do the talking was the checklist for the 5-Stripes for the second 45. 

The Red Bulls took a 2-0 lead in the 54th minute as Cade Cowell snuck behind the backline. He dribbled to avoid Hibbert's charge and took a strike that looked like it was going wide until it deflected off Tomás Jacob and into the net. 

Almirón tried to capitalize in the 61st minute when Horvath spilled the ball trying to collect it. The Paraguayan tried to squeeze a shot past the keeper but was stuffed. 

The 5-Stripes kept the initiative, but Red Bull New York countered well. Hibbert got caught off his line 74th, but substitute Rafael Mosquera couldn't capitalize on an open net, dribbling to far out left and hitting the post. 

After substitute Cooper Sanchez gave up a free kick inches outside the left side of the 18-yard box, Jahkeele Marshall-Rutty launched a powerful strike to the far post and into the back of the net. It was 3-0 in the 81st minute, a scoreline that the hosts deserved, especially as Atlanta United weren't able to grow into the second half. The final whistle ended the 5-Stripes' season, finishing in 13th place in the Eastern Conference.

Milestones

• Jayden Hibbert made his first start of the 2026 MLS regular season.
• Matt Edwards and Luke Brennan both made their 50th appearances in all competitions for Atlanta United. Only four other Homegrowns have reached that total in club history (Jay Fortune, Caleb Wiley, Tyler Wolff, George Bello).

Up next

Atlanta United begins the offseason with plans to regroup and retool for 2027. The 5-Stripes will compete in the Sprint Season 2027 as MLS begins its calendar shift. They'll begin at Mercedes-Benz Stadium Feb. 20, 2027 against Toronto FC. Season tickets are on sale now, and single match tickets will be on sale beginning Friday, Nov. 13.