Aaah, yes. Three points on the road.
Atlanta United desperately needed to show some promising road form, and that’s just what they did. Tito Villalba scored two goals while Alec Kann recorded his second straight clean sheet on the way to the Five Stripes’ first road win since April. The win for Atlanta helped solidify their position above the red line as they jumped over Columbus and into fifth place.
Obviously, Atlanta opened the scoring in the 27th minute – and it was in the most bizarre of ways. Atlanta United’s goalkeeper (yes, goalkeeper) Alec Kann’s clearance made it all the way to the attacking third and into possession of a hustling Tito Villalba, who notched his seventh goal of the season.
Without a few missed sitters, Atlanta would have been up 4-0 before they were able to actually score again. Blown chances from Almiron, Martinez, and Villalba all left the door open for Columbus to tie the game, but the Five Stripes closed the door in the 64th minute.
Once again, it was Villalba who found the back of the net for the visitors. Miguel Almiron’s cross deflected straight to Tito, and Villalba blasted a low shot past Steffen to give Atlanta a cushion. Tito’s brace tied him with Miguel Almiron for goals scored on the season with eight.
United still has one more match to go before the international break. Luckily, it’s at home against the San Jose Earthquakes. The Five Stripes have been unbeaten in four straight matches inside of the walls of Bobby Dodd Stadium, so hopefully they’ll continue their stellar home form on Independence day.