Atlanta United held on to shutout the New York Red Bulls 1-0 and bounced back from a 6-1 defeat scored by striker Georgos Giakomakis on a goalie mistake by goalkeeper Carlos Coronel.
Giorgos Giakomakis scored in the seventh minute and Atlanta United held on from there to beat visiting New York Red Bulls 1-0 on Saturday night.
It was Atlanta’s first regular season win over the Red Bulls since entering Major League Soccer in 2017.
The Five Stripes capitalized on Giakomakis’ early goal off a mistake by Red Bulls goalkeeper Carlos Coronel, then played as far as they could the rest of the way, finishing with 59 percent possession.
Atlanta was outscored 15-8, but had four shots on goal compared to New York’s two.
Atlanta United (4-1-1, 13 pts) bounced back from a narrow 6-1 defeat by the Columbus Crew last week when several of their key players were off international duty.
New York (1-2-3, 6 points) was eliminated for the third time this season and only managed four goals in six games.
Giorgos Giakomakis scored in the seventh minute to help Atlanta win 1-0 over New York City
New York Red Bulls midfielder Frankie Amaya (8) and Atlanta United Matthews Rossito (20)
United midfielder Thiago Almada (23) takes a free kick against New York Red Bulls
Coronel made three saves for the Red Bulls. Brad Guzan had two with Atlanta United.
The two teams got 10 yellow cards tonight, six for New York and four for Atlanta.
Atlanta struck early when Thiago Almada, who entered the week leading MLS with eight goal contributions (four goals, four assists), hit a right-footed shot from outside the box. Koronel got his hands on the ball but didn’t secure it, and Giakomakis rushed to collect the rebound and score his second goal of the season.
Coronel’s grueling night continued when he and Almada collided in the game several minutes after the goal.
He was bleeding from his face and needed a bandage wrapped around his head.
Cristian Caceres Jr., Andres Reyes of New York and Miles Robinson of Atlanta all saw the yellow during first-half stoppage time. Reyes left after half-time with an injury, and was replaced by Dylan Nelis.
New York forward Dante Fanzier also entered after halftime and hit his first shot about 20 seconds later. That set the tone for the Red Bulls to be even more aggressive in the second half as they sought to equalise.
Two minutes after Vanzir missed from close range, Sean Nelis’ header was saved by Jozan in the 66th minute.
Cáceres shot a sail very high in the second minute of stoppage time.
And Coronel saved New York from embarrassment with the second goal when he dived in front of a Matthews Rossetto attempt from the center of the penalty area.
Players react as Atlanta United midfielder Thiago Almada (23) takes a free kick against the Red Bulls
