Atlanta United were officially eliminated from playoff contention on Wednesday night with a 2-1 loss at New York City FC at Citi Field. It’s the second straight year Atlanta will miss the postseason.
Atlanta United were by far the dominant team in the early going and appeared to be rewarded in the 21st minute. Miguel Almirón’s corner kick found Alexey Miranchuk, who played the ball into the box. It first found the head of Júnior Alonso and then Breel Embolo, who put it in the back of the net to seemingly make it 1-0. After a VAR check, though, Alonso was found to have been in an offside position.
New Yotkr City finally found some life in the 42nd minute, as Nico Fernández Mercau found himself in front of goal before forcing Lucas Hoyos into a point-blank save.
Things evened out in the second half, even as both teams sought a goal to keep their playoff hopes alive. NYCFC, though, saw a great chance to pull ahead in the 58th minute as Andrés Perea found himself with space in the box, but it was stopped by Hoyos.
But New York City took the lead in the 70th minute after Tristan Muyumba fouled Fernández Mercau near the top of the box. The Argentine striker stepped up a laced the resulting free kick past a helpless Hoyos to make it 1-0.
Atlanta pulled level in the 88th minute as Embolo got his goal. After Fafa Picault’s strike hit the post, Embolo was there to head it in to make it 1-1.
New York City, though, took the lead for good in the fifth minute of second-half stoppage time. Bénie Traoré let loose a soaring effort that sailed past an outstretched Hoyos as the Pigeons took a 2-1 lead.
With that, Atlanta United’s razor thin playoff hopes, impossible as they were, received a final and inevitable blow. Their final two matches will be dead rubbers, starting with Sunday’s home finale against Toronto FC.
Although Hoyos was frozen on both goals defense is not the problem with United. Only 39 offensive goals all season with basically 3 DP’s on the attack. The lack of good passing in the final third and lack of shots on frame curse this team. I think Miranchuck and Almiron have to go. Too much money is wasted on these two who are all show and little substance. We also have to shore up the midfield or we can expect to continue to be dominated as we were late in the match tonight. Lastly I love Tata but he needs to be replaced. A manager can’t let his loyalty cloud his judgement. That certainly seems to be the case with him over the last several matches with the starting 11 selections. I sure would hate to be a United season ticket sales person. There are not enough gimmicks to entice people to spend money on this product. So sad and sickening what Arthur Blank has allowed this club to become.