October 20, 2021 – Major League Soccer (MLS) – Atlanta United FC News Release
ATLANTA – Atlanta United played to a 1-1 draw against New York City FC Wednesday night in front of 42,511 fans at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Marcelino Moreno scored his ninth goal of the season. With the point, Atlanta remains in fifth place in the Eastern Conference with four matches remaining.
Atlanta United was under pressure in the opening moments and allowed four shots from New York City in the first eight minutes of the match. But after Moreno curled a shot just wide of the right post in the 10th minute, Atlanta settled into the match and took the lead shortly thereafter.
In the 17th minute, Luiz Araújo picked the ball off Jesús Medina near midfield and dribbled down the middle of the pitch before laying off a pass to his left for Moreno. The Argentine one-timed a shot with his left foot that soared past Sean Johnson and into the far side of goal.
The goal gave way to a flurry of chances throughout the half for Atlanta. Araújo took a shot from distance in the 27th minute that forced a big save from Johnson. Later Moreno attempted to chip the ball over a defender to create a chance inside the box, but Johnson again was there to clear away the danger.
Atlanta continued to threaten NYCFC’s goal in the second half. In the 50th minute, Araújo again forced a save from Johnson with a shot from outside of the box. Five minutes later George Bello struck the crossbar after he was played in on goal down the left side by Cubo Torres.
However, Atlanta couldn’t convert any of its chances and New York City eventually found an equalizer in the 90th minute when Gudmundur Thórarinsson scored from a direct free kick.
Atlanta (11-9-10, 43 points) returns to action Wednesday, Oct. 27 when hosts Inter Miami CF at Mercedes-Benz Stadium (7:30 p.m., Bally Sports Southeast, Sports Radio 92-9 The Game, La Mejor).
MATCH INFO
Atlanta United 1, NYCFC 1
Mercedes-Benz Stadium
Atlanta, Georgia
STATS
Shots: 13-13
Shots on Target: 7-4 Atlanta
Corner kicks: 5-1 Atlanta
Fouls committed: 18-13 NYCFC
Offside: 1-0 Atlanta
Possession: 54-46 Atlanta
Passing Accuracy: 83-80 Atlanta
SCORING SUMMARY
ATL – Marcelino Moreno (Luiz Araújo) 17′ [HIGHLIGHT]
NYC – Gudmundur Thórarinsson 90′ [HIGHLIGHT]
DISCIPLINARY SUMMARY
NYC – Maxi Moralez (yellow) 24′
ATL – Alan Franco (yellow) 60′
ATL – Miles Robinson (yellow) 85′
ATLANTA UNITED STARTING LINEUP
Brad Guzan ©; Miles Robinson, Alan Franco, Anton Walkes, George Bello, Brooks Lennon; Santiago Sosa (Franco Ibarra – 69′), Matheus Rossetto; Erick Torres (Josef Martínez – 59′), Marcelino Moreno, Luiz Araújo (Amar Sejdic – 81′).
Substitutes not used: Alec Kann, George Campbell, Jake Mulraney, Ronald Hernández, Erik López, Jürgen Damm.
NEW YORK CITY FC STARTING LINEUP
Sean Johnson ©; Alexander Callens, James Sands, Malte Amundsen (Gudmundur Thórarinsson – 61′), Maxi Moralez, Tayvon Gray, Jesús Medina (Santiago Rodríguez – 62′), Alfredo Morales (Gedion Zelalem – 73′), Keaton Parks (Héber – 85′), Valentín Castellanos, Thiago (Talles Magno – 74′).
Substitutes not used: Luis Barraza, Tony Rocha, Vuk Latinovich, Andres Jasson.
OFFICIALS
Rubiel Vazquez (referee), Cory Richardson (assistant), Corey Parker (assistant), Ted Unkel (fourth), Jose Carlos Rivero (VAR), Jeff Muschik (AVAR).
ATTENDANCE
42,511
TEAM NOTES
Marcelino Moreno scored his ninth goal of the season
Luiz Araújo recorded his third assist of the season
Miles Robinson had a game-high 12 recovers and eight clearances
Matheus Rossetto completed 48-51 passes (94.1 percent) and was 26-27 (96.2 percent) in the opponent’s half. His 48 passes completed was the game high.
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