In their return to Mercedes-Benz Stadium after nearly two months away, Atlanta United left it to the last minute again. The 5-Stripes were trailing all the way until the 94th minute when they got a set piece to go their way. Substitute and Homegrown midfielder Will Reilly showed out for his city, thumping in a bouncing ball to tie the match at 2-2. It was his first career goal for the 5-Stripes, eliciting a roar from 17s who were thrilled to see their boys back out on the pitch.
What happened: The match started in a flash, with both teams making an attacking movement 30 seconds in. Brad Guzan, wearing a mask on his face after having surgery on a fractured cheek bone last week, made an early save to force a corner kick.
In an instant, Chicago Fire found the lead. The ball made its way through directly from the corner, an unintentional olimpico goal by Philip Zinckernagel that bounced off the right post and into the net in the second minute.
Atlanta United had the next chance at goal in the seventh minute after Saba Lobjanidze intercepted a pass from Chicago Fire keeper Chris Brady. Saba found Almirón a couple yards outside the 6-yard box, but his shot was stuffed at the source.
The 5-Stripes followed up with a freekick two minutes later from the left side, and after a Brady punch, Pedro Amador tried a zipping longshot from outside the box. The ball was well-struck but didn't have the pace to get past the keeper.
Atlanta kept coming, and Almirón played Latte Lath in behind in the 12th minute. He just didn't have enough space to get past the charging Brady, who had an active start to the match with another stop.
After winning the ball way up the pitch with pressing, Bartosz Slisz was chopped down about five yards outside the box in the 28th minute. Almirón struck it with pace but not enough elevation, and the wall denied the shot.
By the end of the first half, Atlanta United was staring at a goal deficit. Fire had a majority of the possession and 0.2 more expected goals, but the 5-Stripes had created in moments and needed one clinical finish.
The plan for the 5-Stripes was to ramp up the counter pressing. When they lost the ball in the attacking third, players crashed to the ball to try and quickly win it back.
A moment of magic from Miranchuk got the 5-Stripes level in the 56th minute. They rotated the ball quickly, and Almirón found the No. 10 outside the box. Miranchuk cut in on his preferred left foot and took a crack just before the 18, and the ball kissed the left post and fell into the net for 1-1.
It looked like Chicago would get a swift reply just a minute later when they broke on the counter four-on-two. Zinckernagel got the ball last and took the strike, and Guzan stood strong in the net, making his third save of the night. Atlanta United's masked man made multiple big stops one-on-one with attackers on the night.
After that chance, Atlanta took control of possession. Chicago was happy to sit back and counter for their chances, allowing the 5-Stripes to work with the ball slowly to try and break down the defense.
Head coach Ronny Deila made a triple substitution in the 71st minute, bringing on Jamal Thiaré, Luke Brennan and Will Reilly for Latte Lath, Saba and Tristan Muyumba. Brennan got started well in the 76th minute, slicing in a cross for Thiaré. Brady didn't take the right angle to the ball, but the forward's header looped over the net.
Chicago took their chance in the 78th minute to go ahead, as Maren Haile-Selassie rounded his defender and slotted the ball away into the bottom right corner. It was a simple strike from tight buildup as Chicago slithered through the gaps in the Atlanta defense.
Cayman Togashi and Matt Edwards were the final two subs for Deila in the 87th minute, looking to chase a tying goal. The 5-Stripes were on the charge through the final whistle, and their persistence was rewarded in the second-to-last minute of the match. It was Reilly who got on the end of a bouncing ball from a corner, laying out to strike the ball into the roof of the net in the 94th minute. The match ended 2-2 a few kicks of the ball later, and for the second match in a row, Atlanta United rescued a point in added time.
Key stat: A set piece bounce back. After conceding a set piece in the second minute of the match — the second straight match where Atlanta had given up a goal from a corner — they got one of their own again, just like in Toronto. Reilly's keen positioning earned him his first goal of the season and Atlanta United a point.
Standout: Brad Guzan, in his return from injury, did what he could to keep the 5-Stripes afloat. He made seven saves on the night, many of which came with his feet and required very quick reflexes.
Milestones:
-- Brad Guzan made the start and is now one match away from 300 career MLS regular season appearances.
-- Alexey Miranchuk scored his third goal of the 2025 MLS regular season. He now is tied with Latte Lath and Almirón for most goal contributions this season with seven.
-- Miguel Almirón assisted Miranchuk's goal and became tied for third-most all-time assists for Atlanta United with Thiago Almada at 34.
-- Homegrown midfielder Will Reilly score his first goal for Atlanta United, a dramatic one at that to level the match in added time.
Up Next: Atlanta United don't have to wait long for another crack at home. The 5-Stripes continue their welcome back week with a match against Charlotte FC Saturday July 19. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m., and be ready for some rivalry madness. You can get tickets to the match here!
