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Garza, McCann Score as Atlanta United Draws NYCFC 2-2

April 15, 2018 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Atlanta United FC News Release

ATLANTA - Greg Garza and Chris McCann scored goals as Atlanta United drew with NYCFC, 2-2, on Sunday night in front of 45,001 fans at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. In a battle of the two top teams in the Eastern Conference, Atlanta extended its unbeaten streak to five consecutive matches while Ezequiel Barco made his team debut.

"I think we can use everything from tonight because from my point of view it's possible that this is the best game that our team has played since I've been here," Atlanta United head coach Tata Martino said.

Garza opened the scoring in the 29th minute, tapping home a rebound that was initially saved by Sean Johnson. Miguel AlmirÃ"n's shot came from the edge of the 18 and forced Johnson to make a diving save to his right, but he pushed it directly to Garza, who easily slotted it into the back of the net.

David Villa entered as a sub in the 35th minute and equalized three minutes later from the spot. Off of a counter attack, Jo Inge Berget got inside the Atlanta penalty area and was taken down by Michael Parkhurst. Villa stepped up and beat Brad Guzan with a shot to the lower left corner, despite Guzan guessing correctly.

Atlanta appeared to re-take the lead in the 41st minute off of an incredible shot from Darlington Nagbe. But the play was overturned from video review, as Josef Martinez was ruled to have committed an offside offense.

Early in the second half, Atlanta re-gained the lead in the 56th minute from McCann, his first career goal for Atlanta. Parkhurst kept the play alive by heading toward the left corner where AlmirÃ"n latched onto it. The Paraguayan then got to the end line and chipped a ball toward the middle of the six-yard box where McCann redirected it into the back corner.

Alexander Ring equalized in the 73rd minute with a blistering shot from about 25 yards out. Atlanta appeared to have NCYFC bottled up, but the midfielder took a back pass from Villa and sent a rifle into the upper left corner of the goal, grazing the crossbar.

Atlanta United (4-1-1, 13 points) returns to action at Saturday, April 21 against LA Galaxy (10:30 p.m., FOX Sports Southeast).

MATCH RESOURCES

Post-match video

Full Box Score

Quote sheet

Match photos

LINE SCORE

Atlanta United 2, NYCFC 2

Mercedes-Benz Stadium

Atlanta, Georgia

STATS

Shots: 16-10 Atlanta

Shots on Target: 5-4 NYCFC

Corner kicks: 6-2

Fouls committed: 14-13 Atlanta

Saves: 3-2 Atlanta

Clearances: 29-5 NYCFC

Offside: 4-0 Atlanta

Possession: 55-45 NYCFC

Passing Accuracy: 84-78 NYCFC

SCORING SUMMARY

ATL - Greg Garza 29' [HIGHLIGHT]

NYC - David Villa (penalty) 38'

ATL - Chris McCann (Miguel AlmirÃ"n) 56' [HIGHLIGHT]

NYC - Alexander Ring (David Villa) 73' [HIGHLIGHT]

DISCLIPINARY SUMMARY

NYC - Alexander Ring (yellow) 33'

NYC - Maxi Moralez (yellow) 55'

ATL - Chris McCann (yellow) 70'

NYC - Yangel Herrera (yellow) 80'

NYC - David Villa (yellow) 89'

ATL - Jeff Larentowicz (yellow) 90+3'

ATLANTA UNITED STARTING LINEUP

Brad Guzan; Chris McCann, Michael Parkhurst ©, Leandro Gonzalez Pirez; Greg Garza, Jeff Larentowicz, Darlington Nagbe, Kevin Kratz (Ezequiel Barco - 69'), Julian Gressel; Miguel AlmirÃ"n, Josef Martinez.

Substitutes not used: Alec Kann, Sal Zizzo, Miles Robinson, Andrew Wheeler-Omiunu, Brandon Vazquez, Romario Williams.

NYCFC STARTING LINEUP

Sean Johnson; Ben Sweat, Anton Tinnerholm, Maxime Chanot, Alexander Callens; Yangel Herrera, Alexander Ring, Maxi Moralez, Ismael Tajouri-Shradi (David Villa - 35'), Jo Inge Berget (Rodney Wallace - 61'), Jesus Medina (Ronald Mataritta - 86').

ATTENDANCE

45,001

OFFICIALS

Allen Chapman (referee), Jeremy Hanson (assistant), Cameron Blanchard (assistant), Sorin Stoica (fourth), Kevin Terry, Jr. (VAR).

TEAM NOTES

Jeff Larentowicz started his 344th career MLS game. He's alone for seventh place all-time in league history by a field player and is one behind Brian Carroll for sixth place.

Larentowicz also appeared in his 363rd career game. That ranks ninth all-time in league history by a field player, one behind Drew Moor.

Atlanta scored the first goal of the match for the fifth time in six matches this season.

Greg Garza scored his first goal of the season

Chris McCann scored his first goal for Atlanta United

Miguel Almiran recorded his fourth assist of the season

Atlanta United improved its regular-season record at Mercedes-Benz Stadium to 8-1-3. It is 3-0-1 this season

The club's overall home record is 14-3-4

Ezequiel Barco made his club debut when he entered as a substitute in the 69th minute

Check out the Atlanta United FC Statistics

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Garza, McCann Score as Atlanta United Draws NYCFC 2-2

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