Ladies and gentlemen, the wait is finally over. Atlanta United has won a Leagues Cup match.
It took three years of trying, but after a 4-1 blowout of former manager Gonzalo Pineda’s Atlas FC side, Atlanta United has taken three points from a Leagues Cup game. Of course, that doesn’t matter a whole lot because the team can’t advance in the tournament, but there’s every chance a victory can help build some momentum as the regular season starts back up again.
Despite this being a meaningless match, Atlanta United rolled out several regular starters in its starting XI. Jayden Hibbert was given just his second first team start in goal behind a back four of Brooks Lennon, Ronald Hernandez, Stian Gregersen and Nyk Sessock, who made his first start for the first team. The midfield trio consisted of Will Reilly, Bartosz Slisz and Alexey Miranchuk. Finally, the attacking trident was formed by Luke Brennan on the left wing, Saba Lobjanidze on the right and Jamal Thiare as the striker.
The Five Stripes were off to the races early and got a golden opportunity to take the lead after Stian Gregersen was fouled inside the box in the opening minutes of the game. Atlanta was awarded a penalty, which Jamal Thiare calmly converted to net his fourth goal of the season across all competitions.
Atlanta pushed to extend its lead and did just that, thanks to some very neat combination play between Luke Brennan and Alexey Miranchuk. The Russian international finished the move with a chip over the goalkeeper to double the lead in the 33rd minute.
But the fireworks didn’t stop there. Atlanta United was awarded a free kick just outside the box, and the Georgian international placed it in the top corner with a sensational strike. That was his first goal of the season.
The action continued in the second half with recently promoted Nyk Sessock serving a perfect ball to Cayman Togashi, who headed home for his first goal with the first team.
Despite a valiant effort from Jayden Hibbert, who made nine crucial saves in just his second first team start, the Five Stripes couldn’t hang onto the clean sheet. Diego Gonzalez grabbed a consolation goal for Atlas toward the end with an incredible free kick to make it 4-1.
And that’s it for Atlanta United’s Leagues Cup 2025 run. The Five Stripes return to MLS play on Saturday when they visit former homegrown center back Efrain Morales and CF Montreal at Stade Saputo.
What did you think of the match? Let us know in the comments below.
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[…] Atlanta United defeats Atlas FC in final Leagues Cup match […]
The kids absolutely showed up. They looked good on the ball, they looked dangerous at times, they played like they wanted to be there even in a garbage game. I think for the rest of the season, give them the minutes. Season is over, not much you’re going to salvage out of it except giving the youngins playing minutes on the first team.
Anyone know if Atlas rotated players? Because our kids bossed them. Churn the roster, fire Deila.
So, if I understand correctly, it was a completely different lineup than what played vs Orlando, but it’s the same group that went against Miami. Not sure if that means Pineda treated the whole thing as preseason and never had a full top 11 at any game, or if one of the groups was supposed to be the top 11
Play the kids!
Bench Guzan. Three years too late, but let the other keepers play.
I like what I see so far (only two starts though). He seems quick, very athletic, good size, and good with his feet (he did have a bad giveaway) but he needs to learn how to organize defense and especially on that goal, his positioning was way off. He should start every game from now on to see how he does. If he doesn’t start, Delia needs to definitely go.