Atlanta United is head home with three points from the Nation’s Capital after a 4-0 win against D.C. United. Two goals from Jon Gallagher, a header by Adam Jahn, and a howler from Brooks Lennon sealed the deal in a wild outing between the two sides.
Atlanta United showed their grit collecting four goals on the road against a formidable D.C. United side. The five stripes pulled out the W in a crazy matchup that saw a 10 minute stoppage, coaches clashing, a rule that seemed to appear out of thin air, and for good measure, a red card ejection.
George Bello and Jon Gallagher ran rampant on the left side once again tonight. It took a mere four minutes for that attack to bear fruit as Gallagher collected his first goal.
Just before halftime, Brooks Lennon joined the party and upped Atlanta’s lead to 2-0 after scoring a left-footed howler just outside the box. Gallagher scored again in the 65′ minute after converting a deflected ball on the goal line and Adam Jahn sealed the win with a 70′ minute header that Lennon assisted with a quality cross.
After the break, D.C. United used one of their substitutions to bring on Russell Canouse. The problem? Canouse wasn’t on the official team sheet. When officials caught wind of the gaff, the referee stopped the match. To everyone’s surprise, the official brought the two coaches together to attempt to explain what had happened. There was confusion, complaints, an ejection, and a load of bickering. D.C. United’s Ben Olsen was concerned about losing a sub while Atlanta’s Stephen Glass was furiously arguing what the proper punishment should be: a red card or even a forfeit. The whole situation reeked of 2015 Copa Del Rey.
After about 10 minutes, the referee received directions straight from PRO (Professional Referee Organization) to allow Olsen a replacement for Canouse. After hearing this, Glass was furious and could be heard saying, “You’re making this up as you go!” He wouldn’t let it go and his staff continued to argue. You can hear Olsen eventually yelling, “Would you please just shut up!”
With a much cooler head post-match, Glass quickly addressed the matter. “To be honest, I don’t want to focus too much on what happened. I think they fielded an ineligible player. But, it is what it is and to be honest I’d rather just move on.”
As far as an update on Ezequiel Barco, he should be restored to the team next match. “In terms of Barco, 100 percent I see him playing for the team the rest of the year,” Glass said after the match.
Atlanta earned their first-ever road win against D.C. and also notched their first multi-goal win of the season. They’ll savor the win and start preparation for Wednesday’s home matchup against rival Orlando City.
-Jon J.
Photo: Courtesy of ATLUTD