.png)
by Madison Crews
Minnesota United won their fourth match on the road in 2024 on Saturday night while Atlanta United lost back-to-back games at home for the first time since mid-2021.
The first half ended scoreless after both sides created some chances. Minnesota had seven shots on goal where Atlanta United only had two in the first half. We wouldn’t see any goals on the board until the 54th minute when Minnesota made it 1-0 as Joseph Rosales fired a cross from a corner kick to find Kervin Arriaga, who headed it home with power to beat Brad Guzan.
Minnesota United would double their lead in the 60th minute when Tani
Oluwaseyi took a shot from outside the 18 that snuck in the right side of the goal, after a turnover in the build-up on a pass from Caleb Wiley to Tristan Muyumba.
Atlanta United was able to cut the lead in half at the 82nd minute when Daniel Rios received a headed pass from Giorgos Giakoumakis and then connected with Saba Lobjanidze who slotted it into the bottom left corner of the goal to make it 2-1.
“When you're scoring a goal, you have more confidence and you have more feelings. Of course, it's good and good for the team,” said Lobjanidze. “I'm still disappointed because we didn't get any points at home. We have to keep working and compete harder.”
After many knocks on the door, Atlanta United wasn’t able to find the equalizer. Atlanta had 20 shots by the end of the match, but only 4 were on target.
“For many parts, we were the dominant team, and we have all the numbers on our side, except for the score,” said Head coach Gonzalo Pineda after the match. “I think we had more possession, expected goals, chances created, high-value chances, and shots on goal, so I think we were the dominant team, but when you lose 2-1, none of that matters.”
Atlanta United are winless in their last five matches. This is the longest winless streak since 2021.
“This isn't a time where we need to panic and go against each other and have a big ordeal. I think we need to stick together, we need to get back on the training field, work even harder,” said Brooks Lennon when asked about the second half of the match and the way it unfolded. “We've been putting in so much effort into the preparation for each and every game, the coaching staff does such a fantastic job of getting us ready for each and every game so it's just taking it that one step further, and I think the results will come eventually.”
The Five Stripes are back in action quickly on Tuesday to face USL League One side Charlotte Independence for their first match in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup.
(photo: Sofia Cupertino)