Tag: Thiago Almada

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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June 29, 2024
Same thing, different day: Atlanta United falls at home 3-2 to rival Charlotte, suffers fifth straight home loss

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Charlotte came into the match with a record of 6-4-6 and in seventh place in the Eastern Conference standings. Atlanta (now 4-4-8 overall), though further down in the standings, brought momentum with them back to Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Sunday. A victory at Inter Miami on Wednesday was the team’s first victory on the road this season. It didn’t matter, as Charlotte managed to win in Atlanta again, this time 3-2 in front of 61,209 fans.

The loss was the team’s fifth consecutive at home. “We are playing good, but when you don’t score the goals in key moments you suffer,” Atlanta United manager Gonzalo Pineda said after the match.

Something had to give

Atlanta went ahead 1-0 in the 35th minute following a strike from Thiago Almada. The shot came off a reflection of a Saba shot/pass and came straight down to Almada, who took it out of the air and put Almada earned a yellow card during the goal celebration for taking his jersey off. Prior to the goal, Atlanta had dominated the first half possession (at the half the possession rate was 57.6%-42.3% in favor of Atlanta). Something had to give.

Charlotte managed to tie the match at 1-1 on an own goal from Atlanta United defender Derrick Williams, who up until that point was playing what could be considered a perfect match, in the 40th minute.

Second half: Goals galore

The second half started slow until Charlotte took the lead at 2-1 following a goal from forward Liel Abada in the 56th minute. Pineda made three substitutions in the 62nd minute, including bringing striker Giorgos Giakoumakis into the fold. That didn’t help the team defensively as Abada scored another goal in the 68th minute to put Charlotte ahead 3-1. One of those Atlanta substitutions, Xande Silva, pulled Atlanta back within a goal on a strike in the 76th minute.

“I think we needed today’s three points, today’s victory was pivotal for the mentality of the team,” Pineda said.

An Aggressive Saba makes Atlanta a very dangerous side:

Before the first 10 minutes of the match had been played, Atlanta United midfielder Saba Lobjanidze took three shots-on-goal. Though all three, one directly in front of the Charlotte net, were misses, his aggression set the tone for the team during the first half. Atlanta United is a much better team with an aggressive Saba on the pitch. His two goals against Inter Miami last week are proof of that.

Two in a row in goal:

Atlanta United goalkeeper Josh Cohen earned a consecutive start on Sunday after helping the team to a road win at Inter Miami on Wednesday. Cohen had a season-high four saves and only surrendered a single goal to Lionel Messi during the 3-1 victory. Cohen made a number of big saves during the match, including in the first half on a diving save with his team ahead 1-0. On the own goal in the first half, Cohen believed he saved it from going in, but hadn’t had an opportunity to see the replay yet.

“I feel like I got my hand where the ball was on the line,” said Cohen in the locker room after the match.

What’s Next:

Following the international break, Atlanta United will host Houston on Saturday, June 15. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Following that match, Atlanta will play the consecutive road matches at D.C. and St. Louis on Wednesday, June 19 and Saturday, June 22. The last time Atlanta played D.C. they watched D.C. United and former Premier League striker Christian Benteke scored three goals during a 3-2 victory for D.C.

Asked if he thinks just winning a couple of matches could change the aura around the team right now, Pineda said he agreed. “I think the team played to win, the effort, the chances, the energy that they put in to winning,” said Pineda.

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Donnell Suggs

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June 2, 2024
Atlanta United play it pretty, win home opener 4-1

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An Atlanta United supporter sign asked the team to “Play It Pretty” during the home opener Saturday night. Photo by Donnell Suggs/The Atlanta Voice

Atlanta United returned home to a crowd of 67,727 inside Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Saturday night. The home opener is always a popular affair, but this one felt different. Coming off of a 1-0 season-opening loss in Columbus on Feb. 24, this match felt like the true beginning of the season.

And what a beginning it was. Atlanta not only won the match 4-1 but demonstrated that its back line will be a source of frustration for opponents this season. In two matches this season, Atlanta has allowed just two goals.

The victory was also the Mercedes-Benz Stadium debut for a number of Five Stripes players, including defenders Derrick Williams and Stian Gregersen.

“I would say it is improving big time, but I’m so upset about that goal. I want clean sheets,” Atlanta United manager Gonzalo Pineda said of the late goal New England scored. “We need clean sheets, it could have been a great reward for our back line and midfielders that did a great job.”

Thiago Almada of Atlanta United steps up to take a penalty kick during the first half of a Major League Soccer match against New England Revolution on Saturday, March 9, 2024 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. (Itoro N. Umontuen/The Atlanta Voice)

Early fireworks

Goals from Thiago Almada and Giorgos Giakoumakis set the offensive tone for the match. However early in the match, both teams earned shots on goal that brought the crowd to its feet. Atlanta nearly went ahead in the second minute of play on a shot by forward Saba Lobjanidze. Both shots on goal for New England were quality, including a header that hit the crossbar in the 13th minute and another in the 26th minute.

Atlanta United managed to take five solid shots on goal within the first 20 minutes of the match. One of which was a laser beam from Thiago Almada that was stopped. Almada would score his first goal of the season on a penalty kick just before halftime to put Atlanta ahead 1-0.

Atlanta dominated possession during the first half while also doubling up New England in shots on goal during, 9-4.

Giorgios Giakoumakis (center) celebrates with Caleb Wiley after scoring his third goal during a Major League Soccer Match between Atlanta United and New England Revolution on Saturday, March 9, 2024 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. (Itoro N. Umontuen/The Atlanta Voice)

During the second half, Atlanta expanded its lead to three goals following another penalty kick and a header, both from Giakoumakis, in the 55th and 60th minutes of the match. The later goal was assisted by defender Brooks Lennon. Giakoumakis would net his first career hat trick as a Major League Soccer player and put Atlanta ahead 4-0 following a goal in the 74th minute. Giakoumakis scored a team-high 19 goals in 30 matches last season.

What’s Next:

Atlanta United will host Orlando City on Sunday, Mar. 17, at 7:30 p.m. before traveling north of the border to face Toronto FC on Saturday, Mar. 23. The Five Stripes will close out the month of March with a home match against the Chicago Fire on Sunday, Mar. 31 at 3:30 p.m.

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Donnell Suggs

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March 9, 2024