Atlanta United fell to Chicago Fire 2-0 on Saturday afternoon at Toyota Park. Josef Martinez returned to the field for the first time since March 31, subbing on for Jeff Larentowicz in the 64th minute. Luis Solignac and Nemanja Nikolic scored goals for Chicago.
“I think we had a chance to strike first, but we didn’t take advantage of it,” Atlanta United head coach Tata Martino said. He was referring to early chances from Tito Villalba when he couldn’t convert. “Chicago was able to get out on a quick counter and catch us off-guard and score and then we lost a little bit of intensity after that.”
Solignac gave Chicago the lead in the 29′. Off of an Atlanta turnover, Bastian Schweinsteiger sent a pass over the top of the Atlanta defense for David Accam. In alone, Accam dribbled around goalkeeper Alec Kann, but was forced to pass with the Atlanta defense recovering behind Kann. Accam found Solignac, who was trailing the play, and the midfielder was able to slot it through the defense to give Chicago the lead.
Still trailing 1-0 more than 20 minutes after halftime, Martino brought on Martinez and Miguel Almiron in the 64′ on a double sub. However, shortly thereafter, Nikolic scored Chicago’s second goal from the penalty spot in the 70′. Off of a loose ball from a corner kick, Tyrone Mears was ruled on a handball inside of the box.
Atlanta United returns to action on Wednesday, June 14 to face Charleston Battery in the Fourth Round of the 2017 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. Kickoff from Kennesaw State University’s Fifth Third Bank Stadium is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. The club returns to MLS action on Saturday, June 17 against Columbus Crew SC. Kickoff from Bobby Dodd Stadium is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. and will be televised on FOX Sports Southeast.
LINE SCORE
Chicago Fire 2, Atlanta United 0
Toyota Park
Bridgeview, Illinois
STATS
Shots: 12-12
Shots on Target: 6-2 Chicago
Corner kicks: 7-4 Atlanta
Fouls committed: 14-12 Chicago
Saves: 4-2 Atlanta
Clearances: 22-16 Chicago
Offside: 3-2 Atlanta
Possession: 61-39 Atlanta
Passing Accuracy: 81-69 Atlanta