After being winless in their last nine, Atlanta United get back in the win column in exciting fashion. With a dominant 3-1 victory, they defeated the current Eastern Conference leader, Inter Miami FC, and earned their 100th win in club history.
“For me, it was a big sign of great mentality for the team,” said head coach Gonzalo Pineda at the post match press conference. “But is also a reward for the fans. One thing I really appreciated today was the corner near the back of the goal was completely filled by our fans. They traveled here trying to motivate the players.”
In the beginning, Atlanta United looked to break up Miami’s formation as Miami are third in the league in possession. The 5-Stripes had some chances in the final third early on. In the 10th minute, Brooks Lennon’s shot from the right side of the box but it went just far left of the net.
Josh Cohen, making his first start for Atlanta in MLS play, made a diving save in the 20th minute but the play proved to be offside anyway. Atlanta’s set pieces were dangerous in the first half. In the 30th minute, off a corner kick, Jamal Thiare and Derrick Williams were both able to get scoring chances right within the box.
The game opened as the first half continued on. Thiago Almada, with the captain arm band for this match, had a good look as he made a shot from the right side of the box. Atlanta, despite being on the other side of the possession numbers, were able keep the match in their favor. The three center backs – Stian Gregersen, Derrick Williams, and Luis Abram – all helped shut down chances Miami had.
Atlanta got on the board first with a rocket of a shot from Saba Lobjanidze in the 44th minute. After winning the ball back in the midfield, Atlanta was able to build up their attack. Miami was not able to get set up defensively as Lobanjidze quickly took the ball up the field with a pass from Tristan Muymba. Lobjanidze scored with a shot from the central position outside the box.
Lobjanidze almost extended the leader for Atlanta during the two minutes of stoppage time for the first half. He had a breakway down the middle but his shot was blocked and went wide of the net. Atlanta United finish the first half with a goal and the lead, something the 5-Stripes have been looking for during this stretch of play.
