Atlanta United fell to D.C. United 2-1 on Wednesday night at RFK Stadium in front of 14,594 fans. Julian Gressel scored his third goal of the year while Yamil Asad added his league-leading ninth assist on the play. Goals from Luciano Acosta and Patrick Nyarko gave D.C. United the win. It was not the result we wanted for the reverse fixture.
“We made mistakes tonight, especially individual marking mistakes and it’s obvious that those mistakes have cost us,” Atlanta United head coach Tata Martino said. “They were individual mistakes and I think you’ve seen in the games we’ve played that we controlled possession, but D.C. is able to take advantage of the errors.”
For the 13th time in 16 matches, Atlanta United registered the first goal, this time coming from Gressel in the 17′. Yamil Asad started the play by finding Miguel Almirón with a ball on the left wing. Almirón then crossed for Gressel, who blasted one into the roof of the net. It was Asad’s league-leading ninth assist on the season, while Almirón added his fifth assist of the season. (See the goal HERE)
Acosta equalized six minutes later after intercepting an errant pass. The midfielder entered the Atlanta penalty area and drilled one to the near post to tie the match.
In the 60′, Nyarko put D.C. United ahead after receiving a cross from Ian Harkes. The Ghanaian midfielder took one touch on the edge of the 18-yard box before hammering home a half volley.
Atlanta United (6-7-3, 21 points) returns to MLS action this Saturday, June 24 against Colorado Rapids. Kickoff from Bobby Dodd Stadium is scheduled for 7 p.m. and will be televised on FOX Sports Southeast.
STATS
Shots: 17-15 D.C. United
Shots on Target: 5-4 Atlanta
Corner kicks: 6-4 Atlanta
Fouls committed: 14-9 D.C. United
Saves: 4-2 D.C. United
Clearances: 27-23 Atlanta
Offside: 3-3
Possession: 55-45 Atlanta
Passing Accuracy: 79-74 Atlanta
-Jon J.