Atlanta United returned to Mercedes-Benz Stadium in a match that was more muddled by the minute, drawing 0-0 against Toronto FC. The two sides combined for just three shots on goal, and much of the match was a rock fight in the middle of the pitch for 50-50 balls. The 5-Stripes kept a clean sheet, but their late push for a winning goal wasn't successful.
What happened: Atlanta United's first chance of the match came within three minutes, as Almirón slipped behind the defense on the left side. The captain, playing as Atlanta United's No. 9, lobbed in a cross aimed for Alexey Miranchuk. The ball flew just over his head, but the 5-Stripes kept up the pressure for the first five minutes. Saba Lobjanidze had a close-range shot blocked not long after the first look.
Toronto had stints of their own in the first 20 minutes, but in the 17th minute Atlanta United broke away on the counter. Luke Brennan and Almirón combined well and swung the ball to the right side of the pitch. Saba found Miranchuk in his signature spot on the right side of the box cutting in on his left. He tried to curl a shot to the far-left post, but the ball just barely missed the frame.
The travelers held the ball enough in the first half, but Atlanta United's defending was organized. The 5-Stripes didn't allow a single shot on goal in the first 30 minutes, and Toronto had produced just 0.03 expected goals. Stian Gregersen closed down on a rogue chance for Toronto's Ola Brynhildsen in the 33rd minute, putting a clean tackle in to send the ball away on what was maybe The Reds' best chance of the first 45.
Jayden Hibbert made an early save to start the second half as Toronto pushed for a first goal of the contest. After just over 15 minutes, it was time for substitutes. Head coach Ronny Deila went to Brooks Lennon, Steven Alzate and Jamal Thiaré in a triple substitution in the 61st. Lennon went to right back, sending Hernández to the left. Almirón took Saba's spot on the right, and Thiaré filled in up front.
As the second half dragged on, the game got muddier. Tackles on the edges of the field yielded unsuccessful set pieces, the whistle blew often and neither team got a clean look on goal. In the 85th minute, Cayman Togashi and Juan Berrocal were the last two substitutions for the 5-Stripes.
Through the five minutes of added time, it was Atlanta United on the front foot, but the search for that golden chance came to nothing. The match ended all square as the 5-Stripes applauded their home support on their way off the pitch.
Key stat: Blocked shots. The two keepers were composed, but they combined for just three saves on the night. It was actually the defenders doing more of the shot-stopping, as there were 10 blocked shots on the afternoon.
Standouts: The backline deserved the plaudits Sunday. Pedro Amador had the pitch covered like he was insuring it. Stian Gregersen was a menace in the air and made a couple of last-ditch tackles. Enea Mihaj stuffed just about everything at the source. They stood tall in the moments of uncertainty, putting in quality shifts to earn the clean sheet.
Milestones:
- Atlanta United earned its third clean sheet of the 2025 season.
What's next: Atlanta United will take the road up I-75 to face Nashville SC Saturday, Aug. 30. Kickoff is set for 8:30 p.m. ET as the 5-Stripes face their nearby rivals for the second time this season.
