Atlanta United misses chance to beat NYCFC, settles for draw

The dropped points kept Atlanta United (6-11-7) below the playoff line in the East with Columbus arriving Saturday.

Rob Valentino changed his formation from a five-man defense to a four-man defense. The lineup consisted of Rios as a forward, Lobjanidze, Tristan Muyumba, Xande Silva, Dax McCarty and Slisz as midfielders, Lennon and Ronald Hernandez as fullbacks, Derrick Williams and Luis Abram as center backs, and Brad Guzan in goal.

Remember the loss in Montreal, when Atlanta United failed to score for 90 minutes? What happened just five days ago felt like a year ago on Wednesday because…

Atlanta United scored 21 seconds into the game when Rios shot past Matt Freese. Rios was set up by Lobjanidze, who ran onto a quick pass from Muyumba. It was Rios’ team-best sixth goal of the season, Lobjanidze’s fifth assist and Muyumba’s third. NYCFC had not yet touched the ball before Atlanta United took the lead. The speed of the goal broke the previous mark of 47 seconds set by Josef Martinez in Orlando on June 30, 2021.

A penalty awarded to Atlanta United in the 10th minute was overturned after a lengthy review. Williams was either tripped or dived in the penalty area after Silva backheeled him. Referee Lukasz Szpala ruled Silva was offside when he headed for the ball, overturning the penalty.

Atlanta United extended its lead to 2-0 in the 38th minute with a close-range goal from Lobjanidze, who was the first to recover a loose ball after Freese stopped a shot from Silva. Lobjanidze sent the ball into the far corner for his sixth goal. It was the second time this season that Lobjanidze had scored and assisted in the same game.

Silva then hit the post in the 43rd minute with a shot across goal from 19 yards.

NYCFC cut Atlanta United’s lead to 2-1 in the 65th minute when Slisz lost the ball in the penalty area. Monsef Bakrar capitalized on the one-on-one opportunity to end Atlanta United’s shutout bid.

Jamal Thiare replaced Rios in the 68th minute. Jay Fortune and Luke Brennan replaced Muyumba and Lobjanidze in the 75th minute.

Lennon was booked for a penalty after bringing down Talles Magno in the 80th minute. Magno converted the spot kick in the 82nd minute to equalise at 2-2. Replays showed that Lennon had indeed tried to touch Magno’s shirt, but his reaction was more theatrical than obstruction. However, the action prompted Szpala to make a choice.

Atlanta United didn’t stop there.

A header from Thiare was stopped on the line in the 85th minute. The potential was not assessed. Another attack was stopped by Freese. Brennan was shown a yellow card after being judged to have dived in the box in the 95th minute. A shot from Silva from 18 yards was saved in the 97th minute.

Atlanta United finished with 11 shots, eight on target, compared to NYCFC’s 11 and five on target.

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Atlanta United 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 New England 2, Atlanta United 1

July 6 Real Salt Lake 5, Atlanta United 2

July 9 vs. Indy Eleven 2, Atlanta United 1

July 13 Montreal 1, Atlanta United 0

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

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

July 26 vs. DC United in Leagues 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 vs. Miami, 7:30 p.m.

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

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

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

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

October 19 in Orlando, 6 p.m.