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MLS Atlanta United FC

Atlanta United Wins 1-0 against Colorado Rapids

April 27, 2019 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Atlanta United FC News Release


ATLANTA - Atlanta United beat the Colorado Rapids 1-0 Saturday at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in front of 43,005 fans. Julian Gressel scored the game-winning goal in the second half for his first of the season in league play and the 10th of his MLS career. Brad Guzan made three saves and posted his second clean sheet of the season.

"It's difficult against this kind of system because there are so many bodies in defense," Atlanta United head coach Frank de Boer said. "I'm very proud with the energy and discipline and the effort. After the goal, we dropped a bit because we expended a lot of energy, but I'm very happy with the victory and proud of the team."

After a scoreless first half, Atlanta applied more pressure in the second half and broke through in the 74th minute. Darlington Nagbe intercepted a pass on the left side as Colorado attempted to play out of the back. Nagbe dribbled into the 18-yard box, split a pair of defenders and raced toward the end line where he sent in a cross to Gressel. Running from the opposite side of the field, Gressel beat two defenders to the near post where he poked his right foot at the ball, which glanced off the left post and bounced into the net.

Atlanta nearly doubled its lead in the 94th minute on a counter attack. Running down the right side, Gressel switched the field to Tito Villalba in space. The Argentine took a curling shot with his right foot, but it rattled off the right post and was cleared.

Atlanta United (2-3-2, 8 points) returns to action Sunday, May 5 against Sporting Kansas City at Children's Mercy Park (9:00 p.m. EST, FS1, Sports Radio 92-9 The Game).

MATCH INFO

Atlanta United 1, Colorado Rapids 0

Mercedes-Benz Stadium

Atlanta, Georgia

STATS

Shots: 15-6 Atlanta

Shots on Target: 3-3

Corner kicks: 6-2 Atlanta

Fouls committed: 16-9 Colorado

Clearances: 30-13 Colorado

Offside: 0-0

Possession: 66-34 Atlanta

Passing Accuracy: 83-73 Atlanta

SCORING SUMMARY

ATL - Julian Gressel 74' (Darlington Nagbe) [HIGHLIGHT]

DISCIPLINARY SUMMARY

COL - Sam Nicholson 35' (yellow)

COL - Danny Wilson 45+1' (yellow)

COL - Kellyn Acosta 90+5' (yellow)

ATLANTA UNITED STARTING LINEUP

Brad Guzan; Leandro González Pirez, Franco Escobar, Miles Robinson, Brek Shea (Eric Remedi - 71'); Julian Gressel, Darlington Nagbe, Jeff Larentowicz ©; Ezequiel Barco (Michael Parkhurst - 83'), Gonzalo Martinez (Hector Villalba - 71'), Josef Martinez.

Substitutes not used: Alec Kann, Dion Pereira, Florentin Pogba, Jon Gallagher.

COLORADO RAPIDS STARTING LINEUP

Tim Howard ©; Sam Vines, Deklan Wynne, Tommy Smith, Keegan Rosenberry, Sebastian Anderson (Benny Feilhaber - 80'); Diego Rubio (Dillon Serna - 73'), Danny Wilson, Kellyn Acosta, Sam Nicholson (Nicolas Mezquida - 64'); Kei Kamara.

Substitutes not used: Cole Bassett, Andrew Shinyashiki, Axel Sjoberg, Clint Irwin.

ATTENDANCE

43,005

OFFICIALS

Alan Kelly (referee), Nick Uranga (assistant), Brian Poeschel (assistant), Elvis Osmanovic (fourth), Guido Gonzales Jr. (VAR), Thomas Supple (assistant VAR)

TEAM NOTES

Julian Gressel scored his first goal of the season. It was the 10th of his MLS career.

Darlington Nagbe recorded his first assist of the season

Jeff Larentowicz appeared in his 397th career game, good for third place all-time in league history among field players. He's 11 behind Chad Marshall for second place.

Jeff Larentowicz started his 376th career game, also good for third place all-time in league history among field players. He's 27 behind Marshall for second.

Larentowicz also wore the captain's arm band for the fifth time while with Atlanta United. It was his fourth in the Regular Season with one during the 2017 MLS Cup Playoffs.

Franco Escobar started his first match since playing at Columbus Crew SC March 30

Gonzalo Martinez started his first match since playing home versus Philadelphia Union March 17

Already third in shot attempts per game (14.67) in MLS, Atlanta attempted 15 more tonight, led by Ezequiel Barco and Leandro Gonzalez Pirez's three each.

Check out the Atlanta United FC Statistics



Major League Soccer Stories from April 27, 2019


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