Atlanta United fall to the red hot fire, 2-0.
The road is never easy. Atlanta United lost for a second straight week to the red-hot Chicago Fire, who extended their home unbeaten streak to eleven games in front of a few hundred fans. The fire, who scored a goal in each half, got revenge for the 4-0 embarrassment they took in Atlanta in week 3. Chicago was the first team to hold Atlanta scoreless since the Seattle Sounders back in March.
Atlanta saw multiple scoring opportunities throughout the match, but we’re never able to find the net. Tito Villalba had a real chance to open the scoring for the Five Stripes in the 12th minute. Julian Gressel sent a bomb to Tito, who barely missed the right corner after a one-one-one with the keeper.
Poor play from Atlanta’s back line was the story again this week, and in the 29th, Chicago drew first blood. A long through ball to two attackers that looked like they were probably (definitely) offside resulted in a two-one-one for Alec Kann. At first, it looked like Atlanta could’ve miraculously saved the odd man attack, but David Accam ultimately found Luis Solignac for the opening goal. Atlanta 0, Chicago 1
Some crafty passing between Gressel and Garza gave Atlanta a chance to equalize in the 34th minute, but Matt Lampson was able to corral the shot.
Halftime in Chi-town. With Josef Martinez and Miguel Almiron yet to sub in, there was still plenty of hope for a Five Stripe comeback.
In the 64th minute, the moment we have all been waiting for since early May finally happened. Next to Miguel Almiron, A blue-haired, 23-year-old Venezuelan Striker wearing #7 subbed in, and all of life’s problems seemed to disappear – but the trance didn’t last very long.
Tyrone Mears was caught with a hand ball in the box, and a penalty was rewarded to the men in red. Nemanja Nicolic took the shot from the spot in attempt to increase his 11 goal resume – and he did just that. Alec Kann guessed right, and Nicolic went left, tallying his 12th goal of the season. Atlanta 0, Chicago 2
Atlanta used their final sub to bring in Brandon Vasquez in the 76th minute. Vasquez quickly got to work and gave United one of their best chances of the match, but his shot sailed just over the crossbar.
The Five Stripes will look to quickly get back on track as they head back to open US Open Cup play on Wednesday. Atlanta will host their USL affiliate, the Charleston Battery, at Fifth Third Bank Field at Kennesaw State before turning around to play the Columbus Crew just 3 days later at Bobby Dodd.