Match summary | Atlanta United 2-2 New York City FC

Atlanta United FC Goals: Rios 1′, Lobjanidze 38′

New York City FC Goals: Bakrar 65′, Talles Magno 82′ (PK)

New York City FC drew 2-2 with Atlanta United on Wednesday night. Forward Daniel Rios put the Citizens ahead in the first minute of play from close range. The Citizens doubled their lead in the 38th minute through Saba Lobjanidze. City managed to get back into the game in the 65th minute through Mounsef Bakrar who capitalized on a loose ball and converted the penalty from inside the box. City equalized from the penalty spot in the 82nd minute after Talles Magno was fouled in the box, with the Brazilian converting the resulting penalty.

New York City FC traveled to Georgia on Wednesday to face Atlanta United.

Head coach Nick Cushing made a number of changes to the starting XI – some forced – and also called up three New York City FC II players to the match day squad.

City endured a nightmare start to the game, with Atlanta taking the lead with their first attack inside the opening 40 seconds – Daniel Rios converting from close range.

Cushing’s team quickly responded by launching an attack of their own, with Agustín Ojeda bursting down the left wing and winning a corner. Unfortunately, the resulting free kick was unsuccessful.

Things almost got even better for Atlanta when they were awarded a penalty in the 11th minute. Derrick Williams was the man initially targeted for the foul, but after consulting VAR, the decision was overturned due to offside in the build-up.

City came within inches of an equaliser in the 25th minute after Mitja Ilenič’s low cross found the back post – a last-minute interception preventing Ojeda from scoring.

The winger proved a constant threat for City and a combination involving Christian McFarlane on the left allowed Ojeda to curl an effort towards goal which forced Brad Guzan into a good save.

Despite City’s growing momentum, it was Atlanta who scored the second goal of the game through Saba Lobjanidze in the 38th minute.

The hosts took confidence from their second goal and with half-time approaching Xande Silva curled a shot towards goal which forced Matt Freese into a brilliant save.

But City were not done yet and they created another fantastic chance just before half-time after Mounsef Bakrar turned Christian McFarlane’s dangerous cross towards goal – Guzan doing well to block the shot before it was cleared.

The second half saw one change for City, with Maxi Moralez replacing his compatriot Ojeda. The little magician wasted no time and helped establish a sense of control for City in possession.

City almost got back into the game in the 55th minute after Bakrar met Hannes Wolf’s low cross at the near post. Unfortunately, the striker’s shot went just wide.

Cushing made his second change of the evening in the 64th minute when Talles Magno came on for McFarlane.

A minute later, City were back in the contest after Bakrar pounced on a loose ball in the Atlanta penalty area to fire the ball through Guzan’s legs.

The forward had been tireless for City that night and after running up the pitch he was replaced by Jovan Mijaotivć in the 73rd minute.

In the 82nd minute, City had the chance to equalise from the penalty spot after Talles Magno was brought down in the box by Brooks Lennon. The Brazilian opted to take the penalty and calmly flicked the ball onto Guzan’s right.

Atlanta were desperate to regain the lead and almost scored when Jamal Thiare sent a powerful header towards goal from close range. The forward looked certain to score before a world-class save from Freese denied him the goal.

Cushing’s final change of the night came in added time, when Piero Elias made his MLS debut in place of Julián Fernández. Despite a late chance for Atlanta, Talles Magno’s penalty would prove to be the final goal of the night and confirm a 2-2 draw.