Atlanta United found itself scoreless against Supporters’ Shield-leading Nashville SC at GEODIS Park on Friday night, but Shak Mohammed’s goal with just over 10 minutes remaining in normal time sent the hosts to a 1-0 victory.
The headline before the match was Emmanuel Latte Lath, as Atlanta’s striker was held out of Tata Martino’s starting XI. Tomás Jacob started at center back in place of an injured Stian Gregersen, while Matt Edwards took Jacob’s place at right back. Meanwhile, Luke Brennan was awarded his fourth start of the season.
Atlanta ran into trouble inside of 10 minutes, and it involved a player the team could ill afford to lose. Jay Fortune exited after appearing to suffer a hamstring injury and was replaced by Matt Edwards.
Both teams certainly looked as if they hadn’t played a match in two months, as chances were at a premium through the first hour or so.
In the 59th minute, though, Atlanta had a golden opportunity to pull ahead after Alexey Miranchuk played Luke Brennan into a 1v1 with Brian Schwake. But the Atlanta homegrown winger was foiled by the quick reflexes of Schwake as the Nashville goalkeeper tipped it over the bar.
In the 69th minute, Hany Mukhtar fired in a free kick toward goal, but it was turned aside by a diving Lucas Hoyos.
Nashville, though, finally broke through in the 79th minute. Alex Muyl’s cross into the box was headed into the net by Shak Mohammed to make it 1-0, Mohammed’s second goal in as many matches against Atlanta.
That was that. Atlanta was unable to break through past the Nashville defense, which had allowed a league-best 11 goals coming into the night. The Five Stripes are back in action on Wednesday as they visit Charlotte FC, an 8:15 p.m. ET kickoff at Bank of America Stadium.
1 comment
O hope