Thiago Almada and Jamal Thiare score as Atlanta United beat Toronto

Some Atlanta United players said they didn’t see Thiare sneaking in as Gavran. Others said they didn’t hear any Toronto players tell Gavran that Thiare was behind him.

“I would say I’m on the younger side as a coach and the younger side in the game, but I’ve never seen anything like it,” Atlanta United interim manager Rob Valentino said.

It was a bizarre ending and a celebratory way to possibly send Almada off. Atlanta United and Eagle Football, which owns clubs in Brazil, England and France, have been in talks for five days to move the playmaker. That negotiation, combined with the fact that Atlanta United won’t play at Mercedes-Benz Stadium again until hosting NYCFC on July 17, could have resulted in Almada posting the announced attendance of 42,568, one last bit of magic before he could be sold for an expected fee that could reach an MLS record of $30 million.

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Almada’s sixth goal, the team’s top scorer, was a highlight of the game, but the victory ended the team’s seven-game winless streak at home. Atlanta United (6-8-6) remains in the ninth and final playoff spot in the MLS Eastern Conference. The team plays at New England on Wednesday and at Real Salt Lake on July 6.

“I think you get what you put in and I think we worked really hard tonight,” center back Derrick Williams said. “And I think we deserved the three points.”

Almada isn’t the only player who could have his final home game. Full-back Caleb Wiley is also of interest to Chelsea, who would buy the player and loan him to Strasbourg in France. These negotiations are not as advanced as those concerning Almada, who would go to Botafogo in Brazil then to Lyon in France. Both players are expected to represent their countries at the Olympics. The transfer window in France opens on Monday.

Valentino’s starting 11 included Almada and Wiley, along with forward Daniel Rios, midfielders Xande Silva, Tristan Muyumba and Jay Fortune, centre-backs Stian Gregersen, Williams and Noah Cobb, winger Brooks Lennon and goalkeeper Brad Guzan.

Atlanta United’s attack was almost non-existent early in the match. His only shot was blocked.

The Five Stripes should have felt some urgency after Toronto scored a goal in the 25th minute, as Lorenzo Insigne was judged after review to be offside on his header from six yards out.

Atlanta United took a 1-0 lead with Almada’s goal in the second minute of first-half injury time. Almada played a give-and-go with Rios near the edge of the box, then fired a right-footed shot into the near post. Rios got his first assist.

The goal came in Atlanta United’s first attack. The team had shot twice in the previous 46 minutes, neither on target, and had created only two chances.

Atlanta United’s habit of giving up a goal after restarts continued from the second half kickoff.

Federico Bernardeschi received a long pass from Insigne, cut to his left inside Wiley, then fired a left-footed shot through a crowd of Atlanta United players and into the bottom left corner to tie the game at 1 in the 46th minute.

Bartosz Slisz, back from the Euro, and Jamal Thiare replaced Fortune and Rios in the 58th minute. Atlanta United began to increase their pressure. Silva and Thiare forced saves within two minutes. Ronald Hernandez replaced Gregersen in the 75th minute. Atlanta United continued to use three central defenders.

Atlanta United continued to press for the winner in the final minute of stoppage time.

“I really want them to enjoy it because it probably won’t happen again,” Valentino said of that type of goal. “And I hope we can understand better where we are in the games. But I’m a little bit lost for words.

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Atlanta United’s 2024 schedule

February 24 Columbus 1, Atlanta United 0

March 9 Atlanta United 4, New England 1

March 17 Atlanta United 2, Orlando 0

March 23 Toronto 2, Atlanta United 0

March 31 Atlanta United 3, Chicago 0

April 6 Atlanta United 1, NYCFC 1

April 14 Atlanta United 2, Philadelphia 2

April 20 Cincinnati 2, Atlanta United 1

April 27 Atlanta United 1, Chicago 1

May 4 Minnesota 2, Atlanta United 1

May 7 Atlanta United 3, Charlotte Independence 0 in US Open Cup

May 11 DC United 3, Atlanta United 2

May 15 Cincinnati 1, Atlanta United 0

May 18 Atlanta United 1, Nashville 1

May 21 Atlanta United 0 (5), Charleston 0 (4) in US Open Cup

May 25 LAFC 1, Atlanta United 0

May 29 Atlanta United 3, Miami 1

June 2 Charlotte 3, Atlanta United 2

June 15 Atlanta United 2, Houston 2

June 19 Atlanta United 1, DC United 0

June 22 Atlanta United 1, St. Louis 1

June 29 Atlanta United 2, Toronto 1

July 3 in New England, 7:30 p.m.

July 6 at Real Salt Lake, 9:30 p.m.

July 9 against Indy Eleven in the US Open Cup

July 13 in Montreal, 7:30 p.m.

July 17 vs. NYCFC, 7:30 p.m.

July 20 vs. Columbus, 7:30 p.m.

July 26 against DC United in the League Cup, 7:30 p.m.

August 4 against Santos Laguna in Leagues Cup, 4 p.m.

August 24 at LA Galaxy, 10:30 p.m.

August 31 in Charlotte, 7:30 p.m.

September 14 vs. Nashville, 7:30 p.m.

September 18 against Miami, 7:30 p.m.

September 21 at the Red Bulls, 7:30 p.m.

September 28 in Philadelphia, 7:30 p.m.

October 2 against Montreal, 7:30 p.m.

October 5 vs. Red Bulls, 7:30 p.m.

October 19 in Orlando, 6 p.m.