Thiago Almada scores lone goal as Atlanta shuts out DC

Thiago Almada’s spectacular second-half goal gave Atlanta United a 1-0 road win over DC United on Wednesday.

Almada’s fifth goal of the season ended a scoreless match in the 79th minute. The midfielder first collected the ball on the left side of the field, then moved to the front of the area and launched a well-placed right-footed shot into the net.

The Five Stripes (5-8-5, 20 points) won for the first time under interim head coach Rob Valentino. Atlanta is 1-0-1 in two games since firing former coach Gonzalo Pineda on June 3.

Brad Guzan made five saves for his fourth shutout of the season. The veteran goalkeeper’s biggest save came in the 87th minute, when he pushed away a dangerous header from Christian Benteke.

The defeat extended DC United’s winless streak to seven matches (0-5-2). DC has not won since its previous meeting with Atlanta United, a 3-2 victory in Atlanta on May 11.

Goalkeeper Tyler Miller made three saves in his first appearance of the season for DC United (4-8-7, 19 points). Regular starter Alex Bono had played every minute of DC’s previous 18 games.

Nine of DC United’s 33 goals conceded this season have come after the 75th minute.

The Five Stripes deployed a defensive-minded 5-3-2 formation on Wednesday. The new form reflects both a roster limited by injuries and international absences, but also a clear attempt to contain Benteke, who scored a hat trick against Atlanta on May 11.

Benteke was held in check on four shots (three on target) on Wednesday. Benteke had a point-blank chance blocked by Guzan and defender Derrick Williams in the final moments of second-half injury time.

DC dominated Atlanta by a margin of 19-10.

Atlanta United is 2-3-3 in away games this season. DC United fell to 3-4-3 at home.

Almada received a yellow card in the 18th minute and will be suspended for accumulation of warnings. He will miss DC’s game at St. Louis City on Saturday.

–Field level media