After an early mistake, the comeback effort of Atlanta United was erased by New England as they conceded again in stoppage time.
Starting XI
Atlanta United Starting XI (4-2-3-1): Brad Guzan (GK); Brooks Lennon, Miles Robinson, Juanjo Purata, Andrew Gutman; Franco Ibarra, Matheus Rossetto, Thiago Almada, Luiz Araújo, Derrick Etienne Jr.; Giorgos Giakoumakis
New England Revolution Starting XI (4-2-3-1): Djorde Petrovic (GK); Dave Romney, Omar Gonzalez, DeJuan Jones, Andrew Farrell; Matthew Polster, Carles Gil, Emmanuel Boateng, Latif Blessing, Noel Buck; Bobby Wood
First Half
Just seconds into the game, New England was beneficiary of an Atlanta United mistake. Miles Robinson played a pass backward to Brad Guzan. As he came under pressure, Guzan played his clearance straight at Carles Gil. Gil made no mistake putting his shot past Guzan, opening the scoring for the visitors (0-1 Gil 1′).
After the early mistake, Atlanta did well to settle into the game and create chances. Luiz Araújo found himself on the end of a couple of passing plays, but both of his shots missed the target. A few minutes later, a foul on the edge of the box put Thiago Almada in a position in which he has been dangerous this season. Almada did well to put his shot over the wall, but it backfired off the crossbar, to the delight of a rooted Djorde Petrovic.
Following the opening madness, the pace of the game slowed. Atlanta remained in control of the match with well over 70% possession. From that possession, they created a flurry of chances, aided by some New England turnovers. Chances fell to Derrick Etienne, Araújo, and, Almada but neither man was able to find the target.
After being dominated for 36 minutes, New England saw their first glimpse of a scoring opportunity.
The ball made its way to the left flank connecting with Emmanuel Boateng who crossed the ball into the box. At the back post, Bobby Wood put his body on the line, applying the final touch on the ball to put it past Guzan. Completely against the run of play, New England doubled their advantage (0-2 Wood 37′).
Despite the lack of momentum after conceding, Atlanta continued attacking. There was no lack of opportunities as Atlanta United created 10 chances in the first half to New England’s three. The difference was New England finished two of theirs, giving them a 0-2 advantage at the half.
Second Half
The second half began with a quick attack from New England that was stifled without a shot. After that attack, the second half continued with the same status quo as the first half. Atlanta was frequent attackers early in the half.
Similar to the first half, Almada remained the catalyst of the Atlanta attack. As he had many times in the game, he fired a shot on goal that was blocked. In this instance, the loose ball fell to Andrew Gutman who applied a touch to the ball. His touch deflected off Matt Polster and into the path of Giorgos Giakoumakis. Like a true poacher, Giakoumakis flicked the ball with the outside of his boot past an onrushing Petrovic and into the back of the net (1-2 Giakoumakis 56′).
Shortly after the goal, Gonzalo Pineda made his first substitution of the match, seeing Tyler Wolff enter in place of Etienne. Upon his entry, Wolff nearly made an instant impact. Araújo played a ball wide to Wolff who was positioned at the back post. Wolff headed the ball across the goal finding Giakoumakis but his effort wasn’t enough to beat Petrovic.
In an effort to tighten up the defense, Bruce Arena made a double substitution. Christian Makoun and Jozy Altidore entered for Boateng and Latif Blessing. Moments after the substitution, Atlanta scored.
Almada was picked out in midfield with a pass from Matheus Rossetto. As he received the ball, Almada feinted around the defender and drove toward the goal. As he reached the edge of the box, he put a shot on goal that deflected off a New England defender, ricocheting past Petrovic to equalize the score for Atlanta (2-2 Almada 74′).
Looking for the winner, Pineda brought in Miguel Berry and Machop Chol in place of Giakoumakis and Rossetto. With his second touch of the game, Berry would score that goal.
From the Atlanta defense, a direct ball forward was played up the pitch. The pass was headed away from the goal by Dave Romney. The ball fell to Berry who controlled it off his chest with his first touch and volleyed it into the top left corner of the goal with his second giving Atlanta the lead (3-2 Berry 87′).
After enjoying an advantage all match, New England found themselves chasing an equalizer. In extra time, Giacomo Vrioni entered the match. Three minutes into extra time, New England surged forward looking for a goal.
Andrew Farrell delivered a cross into the box that was headed away from the goal by Juanjo Purata. Gil was on the receiving end of the clearance. He put the ball on his left foot before shifting it to his right and firing a shot past Guzan for his second goal of the game and third for New England (3-3 Gil 90+3′).
After the outstanding comeback, Atlanta’s 8th goal conceded in the 89th minute or later was the difference between three points and one. After being on the end of a “draw that felt like a win”, Atlanta experienced the flip side enduring another “draw that felt like a loss.”
Atlanta United’s next game will come Wednesday, June 7th against reigning MLS Cup champions and potential Concacaf Champions League champions LAFC.
Matchday 16: Atlanta United 3 (Giakoumakis 56′, Almada 74′, Berry 87′) – New England Revolution 3 (Gil 1′,90+3′, Wood 37′)
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