Atlanta United Falls 2-0 at New York City FC in Round One of Audi 2021 MLS Cup Playoffs
Published on November 21, 2021 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Atlanta United FC News Release
THE BRONX, N.Y. - Atlanta United fell 2-0 to New York City FC Sunday at Yankee Stadium in Round One of the Audi 2021 MLS Cup Playoffs. The loss marked the end of Atlanta United's 2021 season.
The match opened with New York pressing high while Atlanta displayed comfort playing out of the back trying to find opportunities in transition. Atlanta United settled into the match and dominated possession for large stretches of the first half, but NYCFC gained momentum in the final minutes before the break. Brad Guzan came up with a diving save in the 39th minute to deny Alfredo Morales and later New York City appeared to have scored in the 44th minute through Santiago Rodríguez, but he was ruled offside, and the call was upheld by video review.
NYCFC, however, carried its momentum into the second half and scored in the 49th minute through Golden Boot winner Valentín Castellanos. Off a short corner kick, Maxi Moralez sent in a cross from the right side for Castellanos at the back post. The Argentine mishit the ball, but it fortunately bounced high over Atlanta's backline and Guzan before falling into the top right corner.
Alexander Callens doubled New York City's advantage in the 53rd minute. The play again started from a corner kick on the far side which was played short to Rodriguez, and he laid it off for Moralez who one-timed a shot that Guzan pushed off the crossbar. Callens was unmarked inside the six-yard box and headed in the loose ball.
Atlanta pushed for a goal and nearly pulled one back in the 61st minute. Guzan played a long pass to Marcelino Moreno down the left side, who quickly passed to Josef Martínez inside the box. The Venezuelan attempted to pick out the bottom right corner, but Sean Johnson parried his shot out for a corner.
Later in the match Ezequiel Barco delivered a corner kick to the center of the penalty area where Alan Franco rose high and put a thunderous header on frame, but Johnson again came up with a big save to preserve the clean sheet.
MATCH INFO
Atlanta United 0, New York City FC 2
Yankee Stadium
The Bronx, New York
STATS
Shots: 13-9 New York City
Shots on Target: 5-4 New York City
Corner kicks: 7-6 Atlanta
Fouls committed: 15-10 New York City
Offside: 3-1 New York City
Possession: 58-42 Atlanta
Passing Accuracy: 82-76 Atlanta
SCORING SUMMARY
NYC - Valentín Castellanos (Maxi Moralez) 49'
NYC - Alexander Callens 53'
DISCIPLINARY SUMMARY
ATL - Alan Franco (yellow) 43'
ATL - Marcelino Moreno (yellow) 81'
ATL - Alan Franco (second yellow, red) 90+3'
ATLANTA UNITED STARTING LINEUP
Brad Guzan ©; Miles Robinson, Alan Franco, George Bello, Brooks Lennon; Matheus Rossetto, Santiago Sosa (Jake Mulraney - 62'); Marcelino Moreno, Ezequiel Barco, Luiz Araújo (Jürgen Damm - 62), Josef Martínez.
Substitutes not used: Alec Kann, Mo Adams, Anton Walkes, Erick Torres, George Campbell, Ronald Hernández, Franco Ibarra.
NEW YORK CITY FC STARTING LINEUP
Sean Johnson ©; Alexander Callens, Malte Amundsen, Tayvon Gray, Maxime Chanot; James Sands, Alfredo Morales (Andres Jasson - 96'); Santiago Rodríguez (Talles Magno - 85'), Jesús Medina (Tony Rocha - 89'), Maximiliano Moralez; Valentín Castellanos.
Substitutes not used: Gudmundur Thórarinsson, Ismael Tajouri-Shradi, Thiago, Luis Barraza, Héber, Vuk Latinovich.
OFFICIALS
Chris Penso (referee), Jeremy Hanson (assistant), Peter Manikowski (assistant), Marcos DeOliveira (fourth), Carol Anne Chenard (VAR), Kyle Atkins (AVAR).
Major League Soccer Stories from November 21, 2021
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- Atlanta United Falls 2-0 at New York City FC in Round One of Audi 2021 MLS Cup Playoffs - Atlanta United FC
- NYCFC Moves on with 2-0 Win over Atlanta United - New York City FC
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