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Tag: Jamal Thiaré

  • Atlanta United ends the 2025 season with another draw, losing record, no playoffs

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    The final match of the 2025 regular season took place on Saturday night. More specifically, it was the season’s final match for Atlanta United. This year will not end in an exciting playoff push or upset victory over Inter Miami and Leonel Messi. It will end in many “what ifs?” and coulda, woulda, shouldas. 

    The Five Stripes (5-12-16) came into Saturday’s match with D.C. United, the worst team in Major League Soccer according to its overall record (5-10-18), just two points ahead of the other United in the Eastern Conference standings. 

    Atlanta United goalkeeper Brad Guzan (above) during the match against D.C. United at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Saturday, October 18, 2025. Photo by Mitch Martin/Atlanta United

    The match, the final one of goalkeeper Brad Guzan’s career, could not have begun better. Five Stripes captain, and along with Guzan, one of the most familiar faces in franchise history, Miguel Almiron, scored a goal in the third minute. The fact that Almiron scored the match’s first goal could be a positive sign for the future. The former Newcastle United man will be the focal point of the 2026 season. On the unassisted goal. Almiron took a rebound of an errant pass and put a low shot past the D.C. goalkeeper. He nearly scored another in the 18th minute on a cross, but was called offside. His energy throughout the match was reminiscent of the same energy level he had in the first match of the season.

    The goal was Almiron’s sixth of the season to go along with a team-high seven assists. A solid season for any player, but the expectations for Almiron were so high upon his return that there was no way he could meet them if this team wasn’t successful.  

    Atlanta United midfielder Bartosz Slisz (above) dribbles the ball during the match against D.C. United at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Saturday, October 18, 2025. Photo by Matthew Dingle/Atlanta United

    Many plays highlighted the victory over D.C. In the 26th minute, Bartosz Slisz blocked a potential D.C. shot that could have tied the game. Guzan saved a shot by D.C. striker Christian Benteke in the 41st minute and recorded another save in the 54th. Bouncing on his toes for the entire match, Guzan looked like he could play another couple of matches. 

    D.C. midfielder Gabriel Pirani scored an unassisted goal in the 66th minute to tie the game. Guzan saved another Benteke shot that bounced back to Pirani, who created his own shot thereafter.

    D.C. midfielder Gabriel Pirani scored an unassisted goal in the 66th minute to tie the game. Guzan saved another Benteke shot that bounced back to Pirani, who created a shot for himself. 

    In the final 20 minutes of the match, Alexey Miranchuk, arguably the team’s best all-around player this season, and Luke Brennan, a rising star, were substituted for Jamal Thiare and Saba Lobjanidze in the 74th minute.

    Four minutes of stoppage time were added to the clock at the end of 90 minutes. Atlanta attempted a shot-on-goal during that time, which was saved like every other shot they took after the game’s first two minutes.

    Saturday’s attendance was announced as 44,098.

    Atlanta United goalkeeper Brad Guzan #1, Atlanta Falcons owner Arthur Blank, and his family, before the match against D.C. United at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Saturday, October 18, 2025. Photo by Mitch Martin/Atlanta United

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    Donnell Suggs

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  • Atlanta United’s young keeper Jayden Hibbert keeps a clean sheet, 0-0 draw with Toronto FC in front of 39,500 fans

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    Atlanta United forward Miguel Almirón (center) during the match against Toronto FC at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Sunday, August 24, 2025. Photo by Matthew Dingle/Atlanta United

    Yes, it was another draw, 0-0 with visiting Toronto FC, but there was a bright side. One of the youngest players on the club is growing in confidence as a frustrating 2025 season nears a close.

    Atlanta United hosted Toronto FC in front of 39,509 fans on Sunday night. The match is the last time the two clubs will meet this season. The teams played to a 1-1 draw on July 12. Jayden Hibbert, the club’s 21-year-old backup goalkeeper, started tonight and held his own.

    Hibbert, A member of the Jamaican National Team, had to defend six shots from Toronto during the first half, but kept a clean sheet by halftime. Atlanta United took five shots at Toronto’s goal, with many of those shots being close to going in.

    Atlanta United midfielder Alexey Miranchuk (above) during the match against Toronto FC at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Sunday, August 24, 2025. (Photo by Mitch Martin/Atlanta United)

    Atlanta midfielder Alexey Miranchuk, arguably the team’s best player over the past six to seven matches, took a shot in the 16th minute of the scoreless match that trickled by Toronto’s goalkeeper but was wide right. Miranchuk has had six goals and four assists this season and has become the team’s go-to player of late. His game-tying goals have helped keep this season from being a total loss, with Atlanta hovering near the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings.

    Hibbert immediately racked up another save in the first minute of the second half. The shot attempt by Toronto was straight on, and Hibbert had to save it with his knees. There was a difference on the pitch without Guzan around to wave his hands frantically while directing traffic from the back, but Hibbert could be seen doing his job in a less demonstrative way.

    Atlanta manager Ronny Deila made a triple-substitution in the 61st minute, bringing on Steven Alzate, Brooks Lennon, and forward Jamal Thiare. Alzate joined the club on a transfer from English club Hull City earlier this month and had played in two matches before Sunday night.

    Scoreless through 80 minutes, Atlanta United defenders did a good job of keeping shots from coming Hibbert’s way. Several Toronto shots were blocked during the latter stages of the second half.

    Juan Berrocal and Cayman Togashi subbed into the match in the 85th minute. It was Berrocal’s third match for Atlanta United.

    With five minutes of stoppage time on the clock, Atlanta United managed to threaten Toronto, but did not score.

    The Starting XI pose for a photo before the match against Toronto FC at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Sunday, August 24, 2025. Photo by Mitch Martin/Atlanta United

    What’s Next: Atlanta United will begin the month of September with a pair of matches at Mercedes-Benz Stadium against the Columbus Crew on Saturday, Sept. 13, and against MLS newcomers San Diego FC on Saturday, Sept. 20. Despite being in its first year of existence, San Diego is the first team in MLS to clinch a spot in the playoffs.

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    Donnell Suggs

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  • Jamal Thiaré and Atlanta United steal victory from Toronto in thrilling fashion

    Jamal Thiaré and Atlanta United steal victory from Toronto in thrilling fashion

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    Atlanta United Forward Jamal Thiaré scored the game winning goal in the 97th minute, giving the Five Stripes a much-needed 2-1 victory over Toronto FC. Thiaré’s goal sent the crowd of 42,568 into delirium while securing the three points.

    With the victory, Atlanta United is now two points out of seventh place.

    “I wasn’t surprised, because I just had a feeling that the goalkeeper was going to put the ball down on the turf, and then I focused on making sure to do my job,” Thiaré said after the game.

    The victory was the first for interim manager Rob Valentino. In his post-match remarks, Valentino admitted he’s never seen a contest end this way.

    “That’s what we were joking about, exactly how we wanted it,” Valentino said. “I would say I’m on the younger side of coaching and the younger side of being in the game, but I have never seen anything like that. I made the joke to Dax [McCarty], after I ridiculously went sprinting down the sideline, that he has played 20 years now and I bet he has never seen a finish like that. It was incredible, bizarre, but I’m glad we’re on this side of it.”

    Designated Players showed up tonight

    Meanwhile, Thiago Almada scored his sixth goal of the season two minutes into first-half stoppage time. While rumors abound regarding Almada’s future in Atlanta, his performance throughout the match were of very high standard. He was proactive in the final third and was looking to create opportunities for himself and the fellow attackers.

    Federico Bernardeschi quickly equalized for Toronto after the halftime break. He was assisted on the goal by fellow Italian, Lorenzo Insigne. The second half evolved into a cagey battle as both teams counterattacked and nearly scored potential game-winning goals.

    In the end, it was Thiaré’s brilliance that broke the deadlock. 

    “I mean it will only help us in the best of ways,” says Atlanta United defender Caleb Wiley. “I think we really needed that win. We go back on the road next week. So I think the boys are in pretty high spirits after this win and we’ll go to New England and try to do the same thing.”

    Atlanta United’s next home match will be against New York City FC on July 17th. Kickoff is set for 7:30 PM. 

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    Itoro N. Umontuen

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