Atlanta United fell 5-2 Saturday night at America First Field. Midfielder Saba Lobjanidze and forward Daniel Ríos each claimed their fifth goal of the year.
Real Salt Lake struck quickly to score the opening goal in the first minute. Diego Luna received a pass on the edge of the box and delivered a cross to an open Matt Coroks in front of goal. He then volleyed the ball into the back of the net.
Atlanta’s pressure forced a Salt Lake turnover in the final third in the 21st minute as Bartosz Slisz intercepted a pass and quickly put a shot on goal to force a diving save from Gavin Beavers. Ríos arrived first to the rebound but couldn’t hit the target.
Atlanta leveled the match in the 31st minute through some quick combination play in the box and a precise finish from Lobjanidze. The move started with Caleb Wiley and Xande Silva winning the ball back deep in Salt Lake’s half on the left wing. Silva then found Slisz near the edge of the box, who played the ball forward to Lobjanidze. The Georgian winger played a clever one-touch back-heel to Riós, who returned the ball with a layoff into the path of Lobjanidze where he placed a right-footed finish into the bottom corner.
Braian Ojeda re-gained the lead for Salt Lake in the 59th minute, collecting the rebound from a blocked shot inside the box off a corner kick before turning and finishing past Brad Guzan. Cristian Arango added a third in the 68th minute, heading home a free kick delivery from the right wing from Luna. Salt Lake claimed its fourth of the night in the 78th minute following a corner kick sent in by Luna that met Alexandros Katranis at the edge of the 18, who one-timed a left-footed shot that was sent to the top right corner.
Ríos pulled one back for Atlanta in the 80th minute to make it 4-2 on an assist from Brooks Lennon, heading home a cross at the back post for his fifth goal of the season. Real Salt Lake’s Diego Luna added a fifth goal in the 84th minute to seal the win for the home side.
With Atlanta’s top two producers gone (Giakoumakis – Cruz Azul, Almada – Botafogo) and a budding youngster possibly following (Wiley’s rumors to Chelsea FC), it will be interesting to see where Atlanta’s goals will come from moving forward. Their attack has been significantly weakened “Decision Day” will be here before you know it. Here’s hoping they keep Rob Valentino at the helm and he gets the guys to turn things around.
Atlanta United (6-10-6, 24 points) returns to action Tuesday, July 9 when it hosts Indy Eleven in the quarterfinals of the U.S. Open Cup at Fifth Third Stadium (7 p.m. ET, MLS Season Pass, 92.9 The Game, La Mejor). All Atlanta United matches are available with an MLS Season Pass subscription, located on the Apple TV app.
-Jon Jones
Photo: Courtesy of ATL UTD