Atlanta United and New York Red Bulls played the first of two matchups in two weeks to a wild finish at Red Bull Arena Saturday, as both sides were set with a purpose with just a few matches remaining before the MLS Cup Playoffs. On the night, Atlanta United converted a penalty kick and saved a penalty kick, and the Eastern Conference clubs traded goals in second-half stoppage time to draw 2-2.
Both teams entered the contest in search of a win with Decision Day looming on October 19. Needing as many points as possible to climb up the Eastern Conference table, the point earned on the road was gutsy for Atlanta United but the club remains below the playoff line in 11th place. Meanwhile, the result helps New York Red Bulls. They entered Saturday in fifth place and tied with Orlando City SC in points. With the draw plus an Orlando City loss, Red Bulls launches into that coveted top-four position that would mean home field advantage in the playoffs.
How did Atlanta United score (and then give up) the go-ahead goal?
Tied 1-1 heading into the final moments of the match, both teams scored in second-half stoppage time to create a wild ending at Red Bull Arena.
Moments after entering the match to replace Saba Lobjanidze as a substitute, Edwin Mosquera delivered what for a moment looked like the game-winner for Atlanta United. The winger, on fresh legs, took his defender 1v1. With his speed, he created an inch of space, then slid a superb curling shot into the upper corner of the net to silence the crowd at Red Bull Arena.
The goal was the first of the season for Mosquera.
But the go-ahead goal didn't hold for long. Elias Manoel, after missing a PK earlier in the match, elevated to score on a header and equalizer for Red Bulls. The finish brought the scoreline to 2-2, squashing Atlanta's brief hope of picking up three crucial points on the road.
"I'm excited when we score the go-ahead goal, and then obviously devastated when we conceded the second," said Atlanta United goalkeeper Brad Guzan.
A deciding moment right just before halftime for Alexey Miranchuk
While Atlanta United had some moments in the first 45 minutes, New York Red Bulls owned the first half. They outshot the 5-Stripes 9-3 and put three shots on target, compared to Atlanta's one. Red Bulls scored a goal in the 31st minute to take the lead.
The momentum of the first half changed right before the break when Brooks Lennon sent a long pass over the top to Jamal Thiaré. The striker caught up to the ball and was pulled down inside the box by Red Bulls defender Felipe Carballo. In first-half stoppage time, Miranchuk stepped up and converted for his second career MLS goal, his first from the spot. Atlanta United and New York Red Bulls went into the locker room for the halftime break even 1-1.
A deciding moment just before fulltime for Brad Guzan
The two teams played most of the second half tied 1-1. Then in the 85th minute, Atlanta United's Jay Fortune was called for a kicking foul inside the box off a long throw-in. New York Red Bulls was awarded a massive opportunity with a penalty kick.
Elias Manoel stepped up to the spot for New York, and goalkeeper Brad Guzan came to the rescue for Atlanta United. The veteran captain made a diving save on the PK to keep Atlanta's hopes alive.
"You watch penalties, you watch as much video as you can, this and that, but the modern player has the ability to close the hips, open the hips, send you the wrong way," Guzan said. "Today, I was able to come up with the goods."
How did New York Red Bulls score the opening goal?
Red Bulls were relentless in the opening stages of the match. The home team took the first shot of the match and sent three corners in the opening 12 minutes of play, showing why they’re competing for a top-four spot in the conference.
It was in fact a corner kick that led to the opening goal from New York Red Bulls in the 31st minute. After Atlanta United stopped the initial kick, the ball appeared to be on its way rolling out of bounds for an Atlanta goal kick. However, the corner kick taker John Tolkin beat Lennon to the spot and kept the ball in play. With a first touch, Tolkin sent it across the box. Dante Vanzeir finished the cross to make it 1-0 for the home team.
How did Atlanta United limit New York's 21 shots taken?
In the first half, New York Red Bulls were aggressive, looking to find spaces in between Atlanta's three central defenders. They tried to play more direct at times too, sending balls over the top.
One opportunity in particular required an inventive save from Guzan following a long pass to Lewis Morgan in the 18th minute. Guzan was caught in no man's land, and the veteran goalkeeper had to scramble. He got enough of a hand on the lofted attempt from Morgan to make the stop. A minute later, Guzan saved another on long ball that was played off the back shoulder of Gregersen.
"Brad [Guzan] has a performance like that, we have to reward him with three points," interim head coach Rob Valentino said in the post-match press conference. "He saved us on a number of occasions."
In the span of about 7-8 minutes in the second half, starting at the 48th minute, Guzan made four saves. The most difficult arguably was the save on a deflected shot. With Guzan leaning one way and the deflection sending the ball in a different direction, the goalkeeper had to react quickly and use his back foot for the kick save.
Guzan finished the night with eight saves.
Atlanta United started five on the backline. Did it work?
Valentino decided to go with five on the backline in his starting XI in an effort to counter the Red Bulls press and their play through the middle. Atlanta United Homegrown Noah Cobb was the center back added along with veterans Derrick Williams and Stian Gregersen. Lennon and Pedro Amador, coming off his first MLS assist and first appearance on MLS Team of the Matchday filled in as the wingbacks.
The coaching staff made some adjustments at halftime, namely sending on Luke Brennan to replace Cobb. Atlanta United traditionally mans four on the backline, so the formation changed into a more familiar shape for Atlanta United.
"It wasn't working," Valentino said. "The first half, we're seeing too much pressure in the wide areas, so I thought we could get back into our normal shape to put more pressure there."
At halftime | At fulltime | |
|---|---|---|
Shots | 3 | 11 |
Shots on goal | 1 | 3 |
Blocked shots | 0 | 5 |
Corners | 2 | 4 |
Crosses | 4 | 7 |
What's next for Atlanta United?
Four matches are left for Atlanta United in the regular season. After Saturday's match in New Jersey, Atlanta's back-to-back games on the road continues at Subaru Park against Philadelphia Union on September 28.
The club has just two home matches remaining on the regular season schedule, so don’t miss your chance to be part of Atlanta’s 2024 season:
- October 2 vs. CF Montréal – View Tickets
- October 5 vs. New York Red Bulls – View our last chance ticket offer
