MLS Atlanta United FC

Atlanta United Defeats New England Revolution 4-1

March 9, 2024 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Atlanta United FC News Release


Atlanta United celebrates win
Atlanta United celebrates win
(Atlanta United FC)

ATLANTA - Atlanta United defeated New England Revolution 4-1 Saturday night at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in the club's home opener. Giorgos Giakoumakis scored his first hat trick with the club while Thiago Almada scored his first goal of the year to give the club its first win of the season. Almada netted a penalty in first half stoppage time, while Giakoumakis tallied all three of his goals in the second half. Saturday's attendance of 67,727 was the third-largest soccer crowd in the world today.

Atlanta United piled on pressure from the outset, as Saba Lobjanidze took the game's first shot in the third minute, cutting into the box from the right side and putting a curling shot just wide of the far post. Almada produced a threatening shot from distance in the 20th minute, while Xande Silva attempted to sneak a shot in at the near post but had his attempt saved in the 30th minute.

It was Almada who ultimately helped engineer the game's first goal just before the half when Atlanta was awarded a penalty. He received a pass on the left flank and cut in towards goal before attempting to thread a pass to Silva stationed near the penalty spot. A New England defender was able to poke it away towards goal, but Giakoumakis stayed with the play and chased the loose ball while goalkeeper Henrich Ravas was slow to react. Giakoumakis reached the ball first and was brought down by Ravas, prompting the referee to point to the spot. Almada took the spot kick and buried it into the bottom left corner for a 1-0 lead in first half stoppage time.

Atlanta earned a second penalty in the 53rd minute when Nick Lima was called for a hand ball on Silva's cross in the penalty area. This time, Giakoumakis took the attempt and, similar to Almada, elected to roll it into the bottom left corner while Ravas again went the other way. Atlanta led 2-0 in the 55th minute.

Giakoumakis scored his second of the night through a well-worked goal in the 60th minute. Atlanta was pinned deep inside its own half and broke through the pressure, ultimately finding Silva to lead a break down the middle of the field. Silva found Lennon in space on the right sid where he one-timed a cross to the back post. The Greek forward thunderously headed it home into upper left corner for a commanding 3-0 lead.

He completed his hat trick in the 74th minute with his most impressive goal of the night. Atlanta sustained possession around New England's 18-yard box before Almada took a shot from the edge of the area which deflected off a defender. The ball fell to Giakoumakis on the left side as he chested the ball down and volleyed a shot with the outside of his left boot that ripped across goal and struck the side netting.

New England pulled one goal back in the 83rd minute through Carles Gil to avoid the shutout. Gil received the ball in the box, took a few dribbles to his left and curled a shot into the left side of the goal.

Atlanta United (1-1-0, 3 points) returns to action Sunday, March 17 when it hosts Orlando City SC at Mercedes-Benz Stadium (7:00 p.m. ET, FS1, MLS Season Pass, 92.9 The Game, La Mejor). All Atlanta United matches are available with an MLS Season Pass subscription, located on the Apple TV app.

Match Summary

Stats

Shots: 18-14 Atlanta

Shots on target: 9-5 Atlanta

Corner kicks: 3-3

Fouls Committed: 15-10 Atlanta

xG: 3.32 - 1.21 Atlanta

Possession: 47-53 New England

Passing accuracy: 85.9 - 88.5 New England

Scoring

ATL - Thiago Almada (penalty) 45+2'

ATL - Giakoumakis (penalty) 55'

ATL - Giakoumakis (Lennon, Silva) 60'

ATL - Giakoumakis 74'

NER - Carles Gil (N. Gil, Bajraktarevic) 83'

Disciplinary

NER - Matt Polster 45+1'

Notes

Giorgos Giakoumakis scored his first hat trick with Atlanta United

He's the fifth player to reach 20 career regular-season goals in fewer than 2,000 minutes.

Thiago Almada scored his first goal of the season

Brooks Lennon and Xande Silva each recorded their first assist of the season

Dax McCarty made his club debut

Attendance: 67,727

ATLANTA UNITED STARTING LINEUP

GK: Brad Guzan (c)

D: Brooks Lennon

D: Stian Gregersen

D: Derrick Williams

D: Caleb Wiley

M: Bartosz Slisz (Dax McCarty - 84')

M: Tristan Muyumba (Jay Fortune - 79')

M: Thiago Almada

M: Saba Lobjanidze (Edwin Mosquera - 79')

M: Xande Silva (Tyler Wolff - 70')

F: Giorgos Giakoumakis (Jamal Thiare - 84')

Substitutes not used:

Josh Cohen

Luis Abram

Ronald Hernandez

Nicolas Firmino NEW ENGLAND STARTING LINEUP

GK: Henrich Ravas

D: Dave Romney

D: Henry Kessler

D: Nick Lima (Ryan Spaulding 75')

D: DeJuan Jones

M: Matt Polster (Noel Buck - 84')

M: Carles Gil (c)

M: Ian Harkes (Nacho Gil - 75')

M: Mark-Anthony Kaye (Esmir Bajraktarevic - 55')

F: Tomas Chancalay

F: Giacomo Vrioni (Emmanuel Boateng - 84')

Substitutes not used:

Jonathan Mensah

Thomas McNamara

Earl Edwards Jr.

Andrew Farrell

OFFICIALS

Rafael Santos (referee), Salvador Reyes (assistant), Wilmer Soriano (assistant), Mario Maric (fourth), Shawn Tehini (VAR)

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Atlanta United celebrates win
Atlanta United celebrates win
   



Major League Soccer Stories from March 9, 2024


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