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Giacomo Vrioni leads Revolution to home win over Atlanta United FC

Theo

FOXBOROUGH — Giacomo Vrioni scored twice in the first half and the New England Revolution held on for a 2-1 victory over Atlanta United on Wednesday night.

Vrioni used defender DeJuan Jones’ first assist of the season to score in the 11th minute and 19-year-old Noel Buck’s first assist of the campaign in the 45th to give New England (7-11-1) a two-goal halftime lead.

Vrioni, who set a career-high six shots on goal in Saturday’s 5-1 home loss to Columbus Crew, became the team’s top scorer with seven goals in 18 appearances this season (17 starts). The forward has five goals in his last four games, including two braces.

Vrioni was denied a third goal on a counterattack in the 75th minute after being flagged offside in midfield. Video referees upheld the call on the pitch.

Atlanta United (6-9-6) avoided a shutout thanks to Daniel Ríos’ goal in the first minute of second-half injury time. Defender Ronald Hernández registered his first assist of the season and second of his four-year career on Ríos’ fourth goal of the season.

Aljaž Ivačič stopped six shots, including two attempts in first-half injury time, in his 10th straight start for New England. Six of the Revolution’s seven wins this season have come with Ivačič in goal.

Brad Guzan made three saves for Atlanta United.

The Revolution won their fifth game in six games under new manager Caleb Porter. The only blemish was a loss to the defending champion Crew after a four-game winning streak. The Revs moved from last place in the Eastern Conference to 11th place with their 5-1-0 run.

Atlanta United, coming off a 2-1 injury-time win over Toronto FC, saw the Revs snap their four-game unbeaten streak and even the all-time series at 5-5-4.

Atlanta United beat New England 4-1 at home in Porter’s debut to start the season.

New England travels to face the Seattle Sounders on Saturday. Atlanta United remains on the road to face Real Salt Lake on Saturday.

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