Atlanta United was forced into a second consecutive draw after Philadelphia Union came back from 2-0 down in Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Sunday.
The result keeps the Five Stripes 6th in the East with 11 points and a 3-2-2 record.
With more absences come more changes to the starting XI. Gonzalo Pineda deployed Luis Abram at left center back in place of Derrick Williams and gave newcomer Daniel Rios his first Atlanta United start in the absence of strikers Giorgos Giakoumakis and Jamal Thiare.
Despite several key absences, the Five Stripes looked to be in control throughout the first half. With about 60% possession and several promising attacks, Atlanta made it clear that it came to play.
With a scoreless match at halftime, there was all to play for in the second 45. And boy did both teams play.
Rios opened his Atlanta United account after heading in a Thiago Almada cross to get the party started. The Mexican striker joined the team in March and the assist was Almada’s first of the season.
The Five Stripes quickly doubled the lead after Caleb Wiley hit a hard low shot that Oliver Semmle was unable to get to. That was the homegrown’s first goal of the season and boy was it beautiful.
Just as quickly as Atlanta jumped ahead, the visitors brought it crashing back down. The Union got on the scoreboard in the 73rd minute after a long ball to the left side found Mikael Uhre in acres of space. Brad Guzan seemed to debate whether to charge or retreat and Uhre took his chance.
Just four minutes later, Philadelphia drew level after a stunning volley by Kai Wagner that gave Guzan no chance. It was game on once more with a 2-2 score.
Despite vehemently trying to grab a winner with a barrage of great attacks, it just wouldn’t happen for Atlanta United and the teams left with a point a piece.
The Five Stripes are back at it on Saturday as Miles Robinson and FC Cincinnati pay a visit to Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
What did you think of the match? Let us know in the comments and fill out your player ratings below.
Before the game, I would’ve been pretty happy with a draw. After the game, I am very disappointed with a draw.
When we were up 2-0 after 63 minutes (or even more so after 70 minutes when we’re clinging to a 2-1 lead), why not start making subs to reinforce the defense? I thought we picked up Dax McCarty for exactly that reason.
[…] Atlanta United settles for 2-2 draw against Philadelphia Union […]
10 to the stadium staff who showed a replay of
the Philadelphia player literally a foot over the line on the throw in for the second goal
His heel was on the line. You are allowed to have part of your foot cross the line.
Check out the Reddit screenshots
Yep. I think there is clear space between the foot and line where var could have, “clearly and obviously” said it was a foul throws and disallow the goal.
Apparently that’s not reviewable, though.
Yeah, just read that. That is really dumb because throw ins can be just as dangerous as free kicks especially when they are long throws. Really dumb because they will dissaloww a goal if the ball was hardly still rolling on a free kick but not a foul throws. Ridiculous.
When I saw both starting CBs were out, and our striker and backup striker were out, I told my wife a draw would be a good result. It wasn’t.
Other thoughts:
I’m mixed on Muyumba as well. I mostly found myself thinking he was winning great tackles and advancing the ball nicely, but he is a bit careless in possession. I’m really liking the pairing of him and Slisz
Very lackadaisical and too dismissive of opposition when in possession. Trying too many “cute” street soccer moves and we lose the ball. Can’t shoot either.
Taking Rios out gave then carte blanche to move their CB’s forward. Firmino didn’t do shit. Wolff should’ve come out at halftime. Oh… coaching… coaching
The form is broken btw
For all the Guz haters over the last few years, the man continues to make saves he has no right to make and shut all y’all up
He did for me 100%. Never will I doubt that man again.
I’ve admitted he has proven me wrong, though I never hated the guy.
You’re of the opinion his play was good last year? He’s been better this year, but it doesn’t change that the detractors had very good reason to be critical. Both things can be true.
Agreed. He has been really poor the last couple of years but very good this year. The turnaround is surprising especially at his age coming off of major injury. I am happy with how he is playing this year but for anyone to say they saw this coming, that feels like a stretch to me
I just wish he had continued his run and not retreat on that first goal. It looked to me he could’ve turned that into a 50/50 chance but when he retreated, he was done.
I was a bit 50-50 on that one. It could have been the right decision but it could have ended in a red card for him…
Watching it, I thought he was not going to beat the Philly guy to the ball, but Brad’s not the reason we gave up the goal there.