An earlier copy of this post was published on: https://www.patreon.com/atlutdfantv/posts/exercising-2-1-166835603?post_id=166835603

Atlanta, GA - Welcome back, United faithful. It’s been 98 long days since Atlanta United graced their home fans at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. On that day, Atlanta lost to the LA Galaxy 1-2. Today, Atlanta gave La Masia graduate Adrian Gil his first MLS start. Tristan Muyumba plays his 100th match. Atlanta started the match with a 47% win probability according to the betting markets. The Red Bulls have yet to lose a match in 2026 where they have the first goal. That is until today. Calling the game for Apple TV were AUFTV Alum Jess Charman and Ian Joy. 

Atlanta’s first half was lackluster. They were finding themselves in space but unsure what to do when they got there. When a counterattack was sprung, they lacked the ability to get forward in numbers and were indecisive when they had their chances. It was as though they were instructed not to shoot. 

This was an inverse of a typical Red Bulls game. The Michael Bradley side attempted to play possession soccer. It seemed to be working when they went up with a very skilled goal from Forsberg early in the match. They maintained the lead for over two thirds of the match. United, for its part, continued to play their game. Both goals came immediately after substitutions. Martino’s side continued to drive forward and impose themselves. They just didn’t have the quality in the final third until Muyumba again hit a spectacular goal to level the match. 

From the moment Jacob switched from centerback to right back for the injured Edwards, Atlanta never lost control of the match. The Red Bulls picked on Edwards’s side in attack. You can see this in the first half with how far forward, with ease, LW Cade Cowell was able to get. Tata subbed Edwards when he appeared to pull his hamstring. 

We’ll never know if the plan was always to play Gregersen for 30’ or if he lucked into making this move. Regardless, the results speak for themselves: 

Almiron showed leadership and quality, crossing the pass perfectly to the back post for the game-winning goal. He was the only player you could see consistently running forward with the counterattack. The other designated player on the pitch today, Alexey Miranchuk, had a rough game. His touch let him down when he was played in front of goal by Muyumba. He was invisible for much of the game. Never moving with enough urgency. 

Post match, for the first time in forever, Atlanta players come to the supporter section to thank the fans. https://www.youtube.com/shorts/DUMwL5w8CHk

Does this result mean Atlanta is back? Heavens no. But, enjoy the win. Enjoy the energy that creates. Enjoy seeing your friends back at the match. Enjoy the free food and drink the club is giving season ticket members. Continue to hope that Tata is guiding the long-overdue squad refresh this team sorely needs. 

Lineups:

ATL Lineup:

RBNY Lineup:

Match Notes

1’ - Atlanta attempts to build from the back after receiving the kickoff. The ball is passed out of bounds. RBNY concedes possession quickly. 

2’ - RBNY quick pass behind the line for a good chance, but the runner is just slightly offside. Players are slipping on this new pitch installed post world cup. 

4’ - Baez clears it into red bulls and the ball kindly deflects into the box. Luckily, it’s cleared safely. Another big counter chance for red bulls. 

6’ - 1-0 Red Bulls. Edwards fails to clear a ball in the box. Mehmeti has a fantastic through ball, which is handled expertly by Forsberg, who slots it left-footed past Hoyos with ease. Not much he could do. Multiple chances to clear the ball let down Atlanta’s defense. xG on the shot was .73. 

9’ - Picault with an attempt at goal, but directly at the keeper. He’s had a few giveaways.  

13’ - Picault runs up the left flank, is double-teamed. Zero support from any Atlanta attackers. Is dispossessed and frustrated. He attempted to hold up the ball, but there were no runners with him. 

18’ - Better by Atlanta. Miranchuk plays the ball to an open and running Baez but the pass is behind him. By the time it’s controlled, the threat is smothered and extinguished by New York. 

19’ - Muyumba passes it behind Miranchuk, giving it away in the box. Red Bulls counter. Gil sprints and slide-tackles Hall. Decisive and important tackle by Gil. 

 23’ - Baez to Miranchuk who is at the top of the box. He skips it directly to the keeper. He had time to take a touch and control it better. 

24’ - Another counter on the right, Edwards is beaten. Jimenez misses a great opportunity for a second. 

27’ - Massive miss by Muyumba. The ball lands to him outside the 6 yard box. He skies it over the crossbar. He has a pass to Picault for a tap-in or an open goal without a keeper in sight. You don’t get many better chances than this. 

30’ - Sanchez passes it to Picault for a header, but it goes high. He doesn’t fully get on the ball. 

32’ - Sanchez with a great pass into space for Muyumba. Tristan does well to play it back to Miranchuk who takes a heavy touch. So heavy that it bounces away from his ability to get another touch on it. The ball goes into the side net. Another big chance. The buildup is working. 

38’ - Corner for Red Bull who just missed a flick on. The second corner played short but it’s cleared with ease by Alonso. Atlanta looked to counter but Muyumba passes it out of bounds. 

45+1’ Gil wins the ball in midfield. Rough collision with Donkor. Almiron takes the ball for the last attack of the play. Alonso wins it and taps it back into a dangerous area but no one on Atlanta is tall enough to get it. End of half. 

48’ - Jacob with a very hard tackle on Dos Santos. Ref pulls a yellow card out of his pocket instantly. 

52’ - Almiron gets the ball behind the line. Fantastic pass by Sanchez. Miggy indecisive with the ball and taps it around the keeper, who comes well off his line. Miggy needs to do better here. 

60’ - Lots of possession by the Red Bulls, which is strange. Michael Bradley does not subscribe to the Red Bulls ways of old. They are slowly killing off the game. 

64’ - Matt Edwards goes down with an apparent hamstring injury. He tries to run it off. He’s struggling and will need to be subbed soon. 

66’ - Miranchuk gets held pretty badly, but the ref doesn’t stop play. Should have been a yellow for a cynical defensive foul. 

68’ - First sub for Atlanta, Gregersen on for Edwards. 

69’ - 1-1. Another banger for Tristan Muyumba. Top bin from the outside of the box. He does a dinosaur dance to celebrate. Folks still want him to go. I don’t get it. 

77’ Almiron plays Jacob well down the right flank. Jacob crosses it to Baez who tries to one touch shoot it, but it’s mishit. More good buildup. 

79’ - Red Bulls Subs: Harper on for Cowell. Sofo on for Forsberg. Marshall-Rutty on for Dos Santos. 

80’ - Atlanta Subs: Hernandez on for Baez and Alzate on for Sanchez. 

82’ - 2-1 Atlanta. Great cross to the back post. Picault scores from a header. Receives a yellow card for taking his shirt off. Well done all around. Both goals came immediately after a substitution. 

86’ - Substitutions: For Atlanta -  Santos on for Picault. Brennan on for Almiron. For Red Bulls - Choupo-Moting replaces Mehmeti.

8’ of squeaky bum stoppage time. Seems excessive. 

90’ +1 - Atlanta playing with a low block. They are not trying to attack. When they gain possession, they draw in players for a foul. Muyumba expertly kills off a minute being fouled. 

95’ - Miranchuk gains possession and is fouled, yellow card to Sofo for the effort. 

96’ - Red Bulls with runners. Low cross is cleared by a sprinting Gregersen. If he doesn’t win that duel, it's a tied game. 

98’ - Almiron and Picault coaching the team from the sidelines. This game clearly means something to them. 

Full time. Atlanta wins a match.