Photo by Kerri Phox/The Atlanta United
Atlanta United hosted the Philadelphia Union without its leading goal scorer, one of its best defenders and a player that has scored three goals in the past two matches. It wouldn’t matter however, because there were plenty of players remaining on the roster that could provide the necessary firepower during the 2-2 draw.
“For me, this was kind of a playoff game,” Atlanta United manager Gonzalo Pineda said during his post-match press conference.
Giorgos Giakoumakis, Derrick Williams, Jamal Thiare joined Xande Silva and Stian Gregersen among the players that were not on the active roster for Sunday afternoon’s match against Philadelphia. Along with Noab Cobb and Tyler Wolff, Daniel Rios was in the starting lineup. Sunday was the first start for Rios, a forward that’s new to the club and was playing in his first match for Atlanta United and it would become a special day for the
Despite a 0-0 score, the home team dominated possession during the first 20 minutes of the match, earning several shots-on-goal in the process (Philadelphia wuld have seven shots-on-goal at halftime to Atlanta’s six). Atlanta would hold 65% possession during the first half.
Philadelphia got its first serious chance at a scoring opportunity in the 27th minute after earning a foul and free kick 20 yards away from the Atlanta goal. The free kick was blocked and a subsequent rebound and shot was stopped by Atlanta goalkeeper Brad Guzan. Minutes later he would save a header from giving the visitors the lead. Atlanta United (3-3-2 overall) came into this match 3-1-1 in their past five matches. Philadelphia had yet to be defeated this season (now 3-5-0).
Yellow light means slow down
The teams exchanged yellow cards during the first half, with Atlanta United star Thiago Almada earning his on a slide tackle following a turnover and Philadelphia being given three, with two coming just before halftime. Atlanta United manager Gonzalo Pineda even got one in the 64th minute.
Feels like the first time
Rios would score his first goal of the season on a header in the 55th minute, putting Atlanta ahead 1-0. The assist coming from Almada on a brilliant pass from the right wing. Rios came out of the game in the 59th minute and was showered with applause from the 42,763 fans in attendance.
Atlanta United midfielder Tristan Muyumba nearly scored his first goal of the season in the 88th minute. The shot bounced over the Philadelphia net, eliciting a roar from the crowd. Pineda said Muyumba had “an outstanding game”, but also credited the overall effort by the team despite the result. “I will say that everyone played pretty well think. There were many, many good performances, I think Luiz Abram did a great job as well, Noah Cobb, Brooks Lennon, Thiago (Alamada) had a great game, everyone,” said Pineda.
Two goals in three minutes
A second Atlanta goal would come from Caleb Wiley on a strike in the 63rd minute to put Atlanta ahead 2-0. “Caleb’s goal was very good and I am really happy for him,” Pineda said. “Today’s is a reward for a kid that has been very disciplined in what we are asking for.”
The goal was Wiley’s second of the season. Philadelphia tied the match with goals in the 72nd and 77th minutes with the later coming from German defender Kai Wagner.
HBCUs Unite Atlanta
Along with match day and the last day of the annual Dogwood Festival, Sunday was also HBCU Day. With the Atlanta University Center in the shadows of Mercedes-Benz Stadium, it was only right that the Morehouse College Battalion Color Guard present the flag, the Clark Atlanta University and Morehouse College drum lines played before the match and at halftime.
A pair of students and members of the drum corp were surprised with $7,000 scholarship checks from Atlanta United. Clark Atlanta University senior Jailyn Funn and Sachi Russell, a sophomore at Morehouse College were presented with the checks following the halftime performance.
What’s Next:
Atlanta United will host Cincinnati on Saturday, April 20 at 7:30 p.m. before traveling to Chicago for a meeting with the Chicago Fire on Saturday, April 27.
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