Atlanta United hold on after Giorgos Giakoumakis’ first goal off goalkeeper Carlos Coronel’s error to whitewash the New York Red Bulls 1-0 and bounce back from a franchise-record 6-1 loss
Giorgos Giakoumakis scored in the seventh minute and Atlanta United held on from there to beat the visiting New York Red Bulls 1-0 on Saturday night.
It marked Atlanta’s first regular season victory over the Red Bulls since entering Major League Soccer in 2017.
The Five Stripes benefited from Giakoumakis’ early goal off a blunder by Red Bulls goalie Carlos Coronel, then stayed as far away as possible the rest of the way, finishing with 59 percent of possession.
Atlanta was outshot 15-8 but had four shots on goal compared to New York’s two.
Atlanta United (4-1-1, 13 points) bounced back from a tough 6-1 loss to the Columbus Crew last week when many of their regulars were off international duty.
New York (1-2-3, 6 points) was shut out for the third time this season and has managed just four goals in six games.
Giorgos Giakoumakis scored in the seventh minute to help Atlanta beat New York 1-0.
New York Red Bulls midfielder Frankie Amaya (8) and Atlanta United Matheus Rossetto (20)
United midfielder Thiago Almada (23) takes a free kick against the New York Red Bulls
Coronel made three saves for the Red Bulls. Brad Guzan had two for Atlanta United.
The teams combined for 10 yellow cards on the night, six for New York and four for Atlanta.
Atlanta struck early when Thiago Almada, who began the week leading MLS with eight goal contributions (four goals, four assists), fired with his right foot from outside the box. Coronel got his hands on the ball but didn’t secure it, and Giakoumakis ran in to pick up the rebound and score his second goal of the season.
Coronel’s eventful night continued when he collided with Almada on a play several minutes after the goal.
He was bleeding from his face and needed a bandage around his head.
New York’s Cristian Casseres Jr. and Andrés Reyes and Atlanta’s Miles Robinson were shown yellow during first half stoppage time. Reyes withdrew after halftime due to injury, replaced by Dylan Nealis.
New York forward Dante Vanzeir also entered after halftime and took his first shot after 20 seconds. That set the tone for the Red Bulls to be more aggressive in the second half as they went for an equalizer.
Two minutes after Vanzeir missed from close range, Sean Nealis’s header was saved by Guzan in the 66th.
Casseres shot too high in the second minute of injury time.
Coronel saved New York from the embarrassment of a second goal when he dove off Matheus Rossetto’s attempt from the center of the box.
Players react as Atlanta United midfielder Thiago Almada (23) takes a free kick against the Red Bulls