Atlanta United Falls 2-0 at Toronto FC

March 23, 2024 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Atlanta United FC News Release

ATLANTA - Atlanta United fell 2-0 on the road to Toronto FC Saturday night at BMO Field. Atlanta's starting lineup featured six players making their first starts of the season in Noah Cobb, Ronald Hernández, Dax McCarty, Tyler Wolff, Nicolas Firmino and Jamal Thiaré, with the latter two recording their first career MLS starts.

Atlanta had its first opportunity in the 12th minute as Wolff intercepted a pass in the attacking third. The Homegrown winger played a cross to the penalty spot for Saba Lobjanidze however his volleyed, left-footed effort was just off target.

Toronto scored the game's opening goal in the 35th minute through Tyrese Spicer as he cut in from the left wing onto his right foot and hit a low shot to the left corner of the goal. Atlanta had a chance to level the match just four minutes later when Brooks Lennon delivered a wide free kick from the left side into the box towards Derrick Williams, but the header went straight to Toronto goalkeeper Luka Gavran.

Guzan made a key save in the 43rd minute after Lorenzo Insigne and Federico Bernardeschi combined off a short corner kick before serving a ball towards the six-yard box. Guzan reacted quickly to deflect the header from a Toronto attacker over the crossbar. Guzan tallied eight saves on the night.

Atlanta created another scoring opportunity in the 66th minute as Lobjanidze combined with a teammate who played the winger into the box towards the penalty spot but his shot was deflected wide of the net.

Toronto added a second in the 71st minute from Prince Owusu. Guzan made the initial diving save from a hard-hit shot on target, however the rebound fell to the striker in front of goal who passed his finish into the net.

Atlanta United (2-2-0, 6 points) returns to action Sunday, March 31 when it hosts Chicago Fire at Mercedes-Benz Stadium (3:30 p.m. ET, MLS Season Pass, FOX, FOX Deportes, 92.9 The Game, SiriusXM, La Mejor). All Atlanta United matches are available with an MLS Season Pass subscription, located on the Apple TV app.

Match Summary

Stats

Shots: 21-7 Toronto

Shots on target: 10-3 Toronto

Corner kicks: 7-7

Fouls Committed: 14-8 Toronto

xG: 2.9 - 0.6 Toronto

Possession: 52-48 Atlanta

Passing accuracy: 88-85 Toronto

Scoring

TOR - Tyrese Spicer 35' (Kerr, Insigne)

TOR - Prince Owusu 71'

Disciplinary

TOR - Kevin Long 30' Notes

Nicolas Firmino and Jamal Thiaré both made their first MLS starts.

Noah Cobb, Ronald Hernández, Dax McCarty and Tyler Wolff each made their first starts of the season.

Brad Guzan made eight saves tonight, the fourth time he has made eight saves or more in his Atlanta United career.

Daniel Ríos made his Atlanta debut.

Derrick Etienne Jr. made his first appearance of the season.

ATLANTA UNITED STARTING LINEUP

GK: Brad Guzan (c)

D: Brooks Lennon

D: Noah Cobb

D: Derrick Williams

D: Ronald Hernández

M: Dax McCarty

M: Tristan Muyumba

M: Nicolas Firmino (Edwin Mosquera - 75')

M: Saba Lobjanidze (Derrick Etienne Jr. - 88')

M: Tyler Wolff (Xande Silva - 58')

F: Jamal Thiaré (Daniel Ríos - 75')

Substitutes not used:

Josh Cohen

Luke Brennan

Aiden McFadden

Matt Edwards

Efrain Morales

TORONTO FC STARTING LINEUP

GK: Luka Gavran

D: Kevin Long

D: Tyrese Spicer (Kobe Franklin - 81')

D: Sigurd Rosted

D: Shane O'Neil (Aime Mabika - 29')

M: Jahkeele Marshall-Rutty

M: Matty Longstaff (Jonathan Osorio - 60')

M: Alonso Coello

F: Federico Bernardeschi

F: Lorenzo Insigne (Kasi Thompson - HT)

F: Deandre Kerr (Prince Owusu - 54')

Substitutes not used:

Ayo Akinola

Cassius Mailula

Greg Ranjitsingh

Jordan Perruzza

OFFICIALS

Scott Bowman (referee), Vitalii Oliinichenko(assistant), Gabriel Grenier (assistant), Scott Decker (fourth), Dave Gantar (VAR)

Atlanta United battles Toronto FC

Major League Soccer Stories from March 23, 2024

• Sporting Falls 3-2 to LA Galaxy - Sporting Kansas City
• Orlando City SC Defeats Austin FC 2-0 for First Win of the Season - Orlando City SC
• FC Cincinnati Tops New York City FC, 1-0 - FC Cincinnati
• Start Spreading the News FC Cincinnati Dominate from Kick to Final Whistle in 1-0 Victory - FC Cincinnati
• 'Caps Fall to Narrow Defeat to RSL After Stellar Start to Season - Vancouver Whitecaps FC
• Atlanta United Falls 2-0 at Toronto FC - Atlanta United FC
• The Full Time Clip: Charlotte FC Grab Late Victory in Wild Match Against 10-Man Columbus Crew - Charlotte FC
• FC Cincinnati Tops New York City FC, 1-0 - New York City FC
• Philadelphia Union Add Andrew Rick to Roster Ahead of Match against Portland Timbers - Philadelphia Union
• LA Galaxy Square off against Sporting Kansas City in Road Match at Children's Mercy Park Tonight, Saturday, March 23 - LA Galaxy
• Inter Miami CF Falls on the Road to the New York Red Bulls - Inter Miami CF
• Red Bulls Defeat Inter Miami CF, 4-0, at Red Bull Arena - New York Red Bulls
• Inter Miami CF Falls on the Road to the New York Red Bulls - Inter Miami CF
• Revolution Secure 1-1 Draw against Chicago Fire FC - New England Revolution
• Chicago Fire FC Ties New England Revolution 1-1 at Gillette Stadium - Chicago Fire FC
• Orlando City SC Signs Wilfredo Rivera to Short-Term MLS Agreement - Orlando City SC
• Sounders FC Travels to Face the San Jose Earthquakes Saturday Evening - Seattle Sounders FC
• Injury Report: Nine Missing for Ohio Trip - New York City FC
• Learning Communication Styles, Preferences a Key Part of Early Season Success for Roman Celentano and FC Cincinnati Defense - FC Cincinnati
• New York City FC Sign Midfielder Jacob Arroyave to Short-Term Agreement from New York City FC II - New York City FC
• Inter Miami CF Signs Leo Afonso, Pep Casas and Ricardo Montenegro on Short-Term Agreements from Inter Miami CF II - Inter Miami CF

The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

Other Recent Atlanta United FC Stories

• Atlanta United Falls, 1-0, to Philadelphia Union
• Atlanta United Draws 1-1 at Austin FC
• Atlanta United's Match at Austin FC on Wednesday to Kick off at 9 p.m. ET
• Atlanta United Falls 2-1 at Chicago Fire FC
• Atlanta United Academy Players Announce 2025 College Commitments