After being winless in their last nine, Atlanta United get back in the win column in exciting fashion. With a dominant 3-1 victory, they defeated the current Eastern Conference leader, Inter Miami FC, and earned their 100th win in club history.
"For me, it was a big sign of great mentality for the team," said head coach Gonzalo Pineda at the post match press conference. "But is also a reward for the fans. One thing I really appreciated today was the corner near the back of the goal was completely filled by our fans. They traveled here trying to motivate the players."
In the beginning, Atlanta United looked to break up Miami’s formation as Miami are third in the league in possession. The 5-Stripes had some chances in the final third early on. In the 10th minute, Brooks Lennon's shot from the right side of the box but it went just far left of the net.
Josh Cohen, making his first start for Atlanta in MLS play, made a diving save in the 20th minute but the play proved to be offside anyway. Atlanta’s set pieces were dangerous in the first half. In the 30th minute, off a corner kick, Jamal Thiare and Derrick Williams were both able to get scoring chances right within the box.
The game opened as the first half continued on. Thiago Almada, with the captain arm band for this match, had a good look as he made a shot from the right side of the box. Atlanta, despite being on the other side of the possession numbers, were able keep the match in their favor. The three center backs - Stian Gregersen, Derrick Williams, and Luis Abram - all helped shut down chances Miami had.
Atlanta got on the board first with a rocket of a shot from Saba Lobjanidze in the 44th minute. After winning the ball back in the midfield, Atlanta was able to build up their attack. Miami was not able to get set up defensively as Lobanjidze quickly took the ball up the field with a pass from Tristan Muymba. Lobjanidze scored with a shot from the central position outside the box.
Lobjanidze almost extended the leader for Atlanta during the two minutes of stoppage time for the first half. He had a breakway down the middle but his shot was blocked and went wide of the net. Atlanta United finish the first half with a goal and the lead, something the 5-Stripes have been looking for during this stretch of play.
Atlanta United continued their strong play into the beginning of the second half. The breakout for the 5-Stripes was on after another turnover by Miami. Assisted by Almada and Brook Lennon, Lobjanidze got his second goal of the night in the 59th minute. He shot from the central position outside the box after showing patience with the ball.
"I was not surpised," said Lobjanidze to the press post match when asked about his ability to have time with the ball without being stopped. "I had a conversation with Gonzalo (Pineda), and he said he wanted me to be more aggression dribbing the ball. It was nice to show that after our conversation."
Despite the dominance shown by Atlanta for much of the match, it only took one shot from Lionel Messi in the 62nd minute to strike back. It was a one touch, low curling ball that got passed Cohen.
The 5-Stripes were able to recover quickly after giving up the goal. Managing the moments after conceading goals was something the club wanted to improve on. Lobjanidze almost got the hat trick after a shot from the central position outside the box. Only 11 minutes after Messi scored, Atlanta regained their two goal lead. After a quick play from Almada at the top of the box, the ball went to homegrown Caleb Wiley, who sent a pass across the six-yard box that Thiaré was able to touch into the back of the net.
After the goal, both Atlanta and Miami made substitutions in the 74th munute. Noah Cobb came in for Derrick Williams and Edwin Mosquera came in for Saba Lobjanidze. Leonardo Campana came in for Robert Taylor for Miami.
Atlanta United to push for another goal. Mosquera made a shot from the right side of the final third but it went wide. Thaire tried to get a brace of his own but it was blocked right inside of the box. Giorgos Giakoumakis and Jay Fortune came in for Jamal Thiare and Dax McCarty respectively in the 83rd minute.
For Atlanta's last sub of the night, Ronald Hernandez came in for Thiago Almada in the 89th minutes. With seven minutes of stoppage time added, the 5-Stripes played a bit of keep away to let the time tick down. Miami mananged to get a few chances but it was a Atlanta that walked away with a much needed win and in dominant style. Atlanta ended the match with 26 shots, a new season high. They are now 4-0-0 when leading at halftime.
"If we are winning, we are winning together," said Lobjanidze. "If we are losing, we are losing together. I know that sometimes you just need a game like that, and after our confidence and mentality will be back."
Inter Miami FC | Atlanta United | |
|---|---|---|
Shots | 13 | 26 |
Shots on target | 6 | 8 |
Corner kicks | 4 | 5 |
Fouls committed | 11 | 7 |
xG | 0.7 | 3.4 |
Possession | 56.2% | 43.8% |
Passing Accuracy | 91% | 83.3% |
UP NEXT - Home Sweet Home
Atlanta United will be back at home for the first match of June. On Sunday, June 2, they will face off against Charlotte FC. It is an earlier kickoff at 4:30 p.m. Fan can catch all the action on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV, as well as on Fox. They can also listen on local radio 92.9 The Game (English) and La Mejor (Spanish).
