MLS Atlanta United FC

Atlanta United Draws Chicago Fire FC 0-0

Published on April 28, 2024 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Atlanta United FC News Release


CHICAGO - Atlanta United drew Chicago Fire FC 0-0 at Soldier Field on Saturday night. Homegrown defender Efraín Morales made his MLS debut with his appearance in the starting lineup.

Chicago had the first chance of the match in the eighth minute. Chris Mueller muscled his way down the right side and delivered a cross to Georgious Koutsias at the top of the six, but the striker volleyed his effort onto the crossbar. Atlanta's first opportunity came down its left side where Thiago Almada was played into space. His initial cross was blocked but fell right to Tristan Muyumba at the edge of the box. The French midfielder made a move around the defender and took a shot towards the far post, but his attempt went wide of the mark.

Atlanta grew into the game and in the 24th minute they found the back of the net through Tyler Wolff, but the play was ruled offside. Brooks Lennon played Giorgos Giakoumakis in over the top, but the Greek striker was ruled offside by a narrow margin. A couple of minutes later, Lennon delivered a cross to an open Saba Lobjadnize near the penalty spot and the Georgian's header was forced wide by Chris Brady. Atlanta created a couple of half chances near the end of the half but the game remained scoreless at the break.

Both teams struggled to create clear scoring opportunities in the early part of the second half. After coming on as a second half sub, Daniel Ríos tried to backheel a low Lobjanidze cross in the 73rd minute, but the attempt was blocked by a Chicago defender. A couple minutes later, Almada curled a long free kick from the left side towards the top right corner, but Brady was able to leap and tip it over the bar.

In the 79th minute, Atlanta's best chance of the match rattled off the crossbar. After a beautiful team move, Edwin Mosquera cut a cross back to Almada 11 yards from goal. The Argentine's first touch bounced the ball up and he volleyed a shot off the crossbar with his next touch.

Atlanta had another dangerous chance in the 85th minute when Almada floated a cross to the back post which met Ríos for a point-blank header that was swatted away by Brady to keep the match scoreless.

Atlanta United (3-3-3, 12 points) returns to action Saturday, May 4 when it hosts Minnesota United at Mercedes-Benz Stadium (7:30 p.m. ET, 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: 16-8 Atlanta

Shots on target: 5-0 Atlanta

Corner kicks: 8-3 Atlanta

Fouls Committed: 9-6 Chicago

xG: 1.6-0.5 Atlanta

Possession: 60-40 Atlanta

Passing accuracy: 90-78 Atlanta

Disciplinary

ATL - Brooks Lennon 46'

CHI - Allan Arigoni 75'

ATL - Bartosz Slisz 89'

ATL - Edwin Mosquera 90'+7' Notes

Giorgos Giakoumakis made his first start since March 31.

Efrain Morales made his first appearance and start with Atlanta United in his professional career tonight.

Brooks Lennon made his 112th MLS Regular Season start for Atlanta, which puts him into 2nd place all-time in club history.

Dax McCarty made his 500th MLS appearance tonight (MLS Regular Season + Playoffs).

Atlanta United kept its third clean sheet of the season.

Atlanta United held Chicago without a shot on goal in tonight's match.

Noah Cobb missed tonight's match due to illness.

Attendance: 18,236

ATLANTA UNITED STARTING LINEUP

GK: Brad Guzan (c)

D: Brooks Lennon

D: Efrain Morales

D: Luis Abram

D: Caleb Wiley

M: Bartosz Slisz

M: Tristan Muyumba (Dax McCarty - 78')

M: Thiago Almada

M: Saba Lobjanidze

M: Tyler Wolff (Edwin Mosquera - 66')

F: Giorgos Giakoumakis (Daniel Ríos - 66')

Substitutes not used:

Josh Cohen

Stian Gregersen

Ronald Hernandez

Luke Brennan

Jay Fortune

Nick Firmino

CHICAGO FIRE FC STARTING LINEUP

GK: Chris Brady

D: Rafael Czichos

D: Tobias Salquist

D: Andrew Gutman (Jonathan Dean - 66')

D: Mauricio Pineda

D: Allan Arigoni

M: Kellyn Acosta (Brian Gutierrez - 66')

M: Fabian Herbers (c)

F: Chris Mueller (Arnaud Souquet - 76')

F: Georgios Koutsias (Tom Barlow - 71')

F: Hugo Cuypers

Substitutes not used:

Spencer Richey

Carlos Teran

Wyatt Omsberg

OFFICIALS

Filip Dujic (referee), Jeffrey Swartzel (assistant), Justin Howard (assistant), Brandon Stevis (fourth), Jorge Gonzalez (VAR), Robert Schaap (AVAR)

Check out the Atlanta United FC Statistics

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Major League Soccer Stories from April 28, 2024


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