Atlanta United shocked with a stoppage-time equalizer to earn a point in their 1-1 draw with Columbus Crew at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Saturday night.
The stakes were high heading into the Eastern Conference clash, as both sides are hopeful of a top-four finish ahead of the 2023 MLS Cup playoffs. Two former Five Stripes were making their return to ‘the Benz,’ as Columbus’ Julian Gressel and Darlington Nagbe played key roles in Atlanta’s 2018 MLS Cup triumph.
The visiting Crew were asking questions of the Atlanta backline, as MVP candidate Cucho Hernadez’s strike went through the legs of Luis Abram but Brad Guzan stuck out his right leg to keep the game level.
Atlanta usually play the game on their terms at home, but the Crew had other ideas in the first half as Wilfried Nancy’s side controlled the tempo of the game with an impressive 56% possession, and at times, the Five Stripes were suffocated in their own half.
The Crew had the better looks in the first 45, but were unable to capitalize on their chances created. Guzan’s reactions were on point again in the second half, as he denied Hernandez twice from close range as the game remained in a deadlock at 0-0.
Columbus finally opened the scoring in the 65th minute, as Atlanta’s Miles Robinson was pulled out of position with Aidan Morris screaming toward the Five Stripes’ penalty area. A wicked deflection saw Matheus Rossetto’s attempted clearance come off Luis Abram’s leg into the path of Hernandez before reaching the back of the net.
Atlanta huffed and puffed in the final stretch of the contest, and it appeared as if they were going to take nothning away from the game. That is, until Robinson redeemed himself for his defensive error in the dying moments.
Thiago Almada sent in a tempting free kick in the 97th minute, and Robinson got on the end of it with a headed effort that struck the ground before finding the back of the net. Almada picked up his 17th assist of the year, and the Five Stripes may have been lucky to walk away from the game with a point.
GK: Brad Guzan – 7.5/10 – His solid distribution was on display again and he came up with a huge stop in the opening 10 minutes to keep Atlanta level. Wasn’t much he could do on Hernandez’s goal.
RB: Brooks Lennon – 7/10 – Showcased his defensive abilities to a tee with a few excellent tackles near his own six-yard box.
CB: Miles Robinson – 7.5/10 – Wasn’t as aggressive as his fellow center-back, and redeemed himself after a lapse in concentration by scoring a 97th minute headed goal.
CB: Luis Abram – 7/10 – Anchored the backline with a huge tackle on Rossi early on, and the Peru international kept on lunging in with perfect timing throughout the contest.
LB: Caleb Wiley – 6/10 – Got forward on a couple occasions with some blistering runs, and was solid at the back.
DM: Tristan Muyumba – 6/10 – A disappointing night for the energetic midfielder. He was kept at bay by the Crew’s midfield pairing of Nagbe and Morris.
DM: Matheus Rossetto – 6/10 – Nothing flashy from the Brazil international, a quiet outing in the midfield.
RW: Saba Lobjanidze – 5/10 – Had plenty of space to operate with the ball but failed to do much with it at the same time. He hesitated to send first-time crosses in, resulting in missed chances.
AM: Thiago Almada – 7/10 – Still not his usual self, but he was able to create glimpes of magic here and there that reminded everyone how special he is.
LW: Xande Silva – 6/10 – A lackluster showing from the electric winger who’s set standards so high for himself since his arrival in the summer.
ST: Giorgos Giakoumakis – 5/10 – His quick passing was on point near the box, but his first touch still left more to be desired.
Substitutes
RW: Edwin Mosquera (62′ for Lobjanidze) – 6.5/10 – Provided a spark up front that was missing.
ST: Jamal Thiare (75′ for Silva) – N/A, had to come off eight minutes later due to injury.
DM: Ajani Fortune (75′ for Rossetto) – 6/10 – Helped provide balance in the middle of the park.
LW: Derrick Etienne Jr. (83′ for Thiare) – Didn’t offer much in his rare cameo.
ST: Miguel Berry (89′ for Muyumba) – N/A
Manager
Gonzalo Pineda – 6.5/10 – Nothing wrong with his starting lineup, but his team had no answers for what the Crew were throwing at them for most of the match. His subs proved to be somewhat effective yet again, but this wasn’t a good look for his team if they are to go far in the playoffs.
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