Atlanta United earns torrid draw against St. Louis

Rob Valentino, who is undefeated in three matches since being named interim manager, kept the same back five for the game that he used on Wednesday at DC United, but added a wrinkle with the inclusion of two attackers, Rios and Jamal Thiare. The final five consisted of Derrick Williams, Noah Cobb, Efrain Morales, Caleb Wiley and Brooks Lennon. The midfield included Tristan Muyumba, Jay Fortune and Xande Silva. The lineup included four locals and no designated players. Almada was ineligible due to accumulating yellow cards. Atlanta United was also without starters Saba Lobjanidze, Bartosz Slisz and Luis Abram, who were participating with their national teams in their continental championships. Stian Gregersen, a designated player, made the bench. Atlanta United is 2-5-4 in its history when not starting DP.

St. Louis thought it took a 1-0 lead in the 39th minute. Referee Filip Dujic and his assistant referee indicated no goal, but it was unclear whether it was because of an offside, an earlier foul on a St. Louis player or a fault earlier than that of Muyumba. After review, Dujic ruled that Eduard Loewen had fouled Muyumba, which allowed Saint-Louis to recover the ball and begin their attack.

Gregersen replaced Morales to start the second half. It was Gregersen’s first appearance since June 2 against Charlotte. Gregersen received a yellow card less than a minute in for a tough challenge from behind on Joao Klauss.

St. Louis took a 1-0 lead in the 50th minute on a goal by Indiana Vassilev. Klauss outpaced Lennon at the back post to reach a cross. Vassilev reached the ball before Wiley and fired a left-footed shot into the bottom right corner.

A sliding block from Cobb in the 57th minute kept Atlanta United from losing 2–0 as St. Louis began to put Atlanta United under more pressure.

Atlanta United began to fight back.

Fortune hit the post in the 59th minute with a shot from 24 yards. A header from Thiare from a corner was stopped a minute later. Dax McCarty replaced Thiare in the 61st minute. Silva became the second striker and Fortune and Muyumba became dual attacking midfielders. A Rios shot was deflected over the crossbar in the 67th minute.

Atlanta United earned a penalty in the 69th minute when Gregersen was tackled by Nokkvi Thorisson in the penalty area.

Rios took the penalty. His first shot, low, slow and to the right, was stopped by Roman Buerki. But Rios collected the loose ball before anyone else and punched it in to tie the game at 1 in the 71st minute. It was Rios’ third goal this season.

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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, Saint-Louis 1

June 29 c. Toronto, 7:30 p.m.

July 3 at 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 against Columbus, 7:30 p.m.

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

August 4 against Santos Laguna in the League 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 c. Montreal, 7:30 p.m.

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

October 19 in Orlando, 6 p.m.