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MLS Atlanta United FC

Atlanta United Clinches Playoff Spot in 2-1 Win

November 7, 2021 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Atlanta United FC News Release


CINCINNATI, Ohio - Atlanta United came from behind to defeat FC Cincinnati 2-1 and clinched a playoff spot in the 2021 Audi MLS Cup Playoffs Sunday. Miles Robinson scored his first career MLS goal and Josef Martinez scored the eventual game-winner as Atlanta erased a second-half deficit for the second time in four matches. Atlanta will be the No. 5 seed in the Eastern Conference, set to visit fourth-seeded New York City FC. Dates and TV information for all playoff games will be announced later by MLS.

FC Cincinnati opened the scoring in the 21st minute from Zico Bailey. After taking a pass from Haris Medunjanin on the right wing, Bailey combined with Luciano Acosta with the return pass playing him toward goal along the edge of the 18, Bailey dribbled twice and sent a left-footed shot to the far post, barely beating a diving Brad Guzan.

Gonzalo Pineda brought on Jake Mulraney at halftime and switched formations to a more attacking look. Atlanta responded by piling on pressure early in the second half with five shot attempts in the first 10 minutes of the half. Martinez had a good look from about six yards out, but his attempt was saved by Kenneth Vermeer.

Robinson notched his first career goal in the 70th minute. Ezequiel Barco took a corner kick and perfectly placed it in the center of the box, where Robinson patiently waited and deftly re-directed it into the top left corner.

Less than 10 minutes later, Martinez put Atlanta ahead in the 79th minute. Luiz Araújo drove the team forward and played out wide for Jürgen Damm. The Mexican winger then crossed into the box, where an FC Cincinnati defender headed into the air. Martinez tracked it down and acrobatically swung his right leg around to get the ball up and over Vermeer.

Atlanta finished the 2021 MLS Regular Season with a record of 13-9-12 (51 points). It qualified for MLS Cup Playoffs for the fourth time in club history

MATCH INFO

Atlanta United 2, FC Cincinnati 1

TQL Stadium

Cincinnati, Ohio

STATS

Shots: 18-9 Atlanta

Shots on Target: 4-3 Atlanta

Corner kicks: 9-5 Atlanta

Fouls committed: 13-12 FC Cincinnati

Offside: 2-2

Possession: 61-39 Atlanta

Passing Accuracy: 87-81 Atlanta

SCORING SUMMARY

CIN - Zico Bailey (Luciano Acosta) 21' [HIGHLIGHT]

ATL - Miles Robinson (Ezequiel Barco) 70' [HIGHLIGHT]

ATL - Josef Martinez 79' [HIGHLIGHT]

DISCIPLINARY SUMMARY

CIN - Caleb Stanko (yellow) 33'

ATL - Ronald Hernandez (yellow) 64'

ATL - Luiz Araújo (yellow) 86'

CIN - Ronald Matarrita (yellow) 88'

ATLANTA UNITED STARTING LINEUP

Brad Guzan (C); George Bello, Anton Walkes (Jake Mulraney - HT), Alan Franco, Miles Robinson, Ronald Hernandez (Brooks Lennon - 68'); Franco Ibarra (Jürgen Damm - 68'), Matheus Rossetto; Ezequiel Barco (Erick "Cubo" Torres - 89'), Josef Martinez (George Campbell - 85'), Luiz Araújo.

Substitutes not used: Alec Kann, Amar Sejdić, Tyler Wolff, Machop Chol.

FC CINCINNATI STARTING LINEUP

Kenneth Vermeer; Tyler Blackett, Gustavo Vallecilla, Zico Bailey (Joe Gyau - 59'), Ronald Matarrita; Haris Medunjanin (Alvaro Barreal - 74'), Yuya Kubo (Calvin Harris - 83'), Luciano Acosta ©, Caleb Stanko; Brenner, Brandon Vazquez (Allan Cruz - 59')

Substitutes not used: Ben Lundt, Edgar Castillo, Kyle Scott, Isaac Atanga, Quimi Ordonez.

OFFICIALS

Nima Saghafi (referee), Ian McKay (assistant), Jeffrey Swartzel (assistant), Danielle Chesky (fourth), Sorin Stoica (VAR), Peter Balciunas (AVAR).

TEAM NOTES

Atlanta ran its unbeaten streak to six consecutive matches.

Atlanta came from behind to win for the second time in four matches. It defeated Inter Miami FC 2-1 on Oct. 27 with a pair of second-half goals from Luiz Araújo and Josef Martinez.

It was the club's second all-time come-from-behind road win in history. The club was 1-26-7 when conceding first on the road with its lone win against San Jose Earthquakes on Sept. 19, 2018 in a 4-3 win.

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