Alexey Miranchuk and Tyler Wolff led Atlanta United past New York Red Bulls 2-1, earning three crucial points that keep them in playoff contention. Miranchuk netted his third goal and earned his first assist with the club. Wolff’s goal was his first of the season.
The Red Bulls nearly took the lead in the 14th minute when Felipe Carballo backheeled a shot from close range toward goal, but Hernandez was positioned behind Brad Guzan to clear the ball off the line. Despite recording nine shots on goal, Atlanta went into halftime scoreless.
Atlanta gained a one-man advantage in the 66th minute when New York’s Dylan Nealis was shown a red card for denial of an obvious goal scoring opportunity on Edwin Mosquera. Three minutes later, Jamal Thiaré earned a penalty after he was taken down in the box by Noah Eile. A lengthy delay ensued as three players were shown yellow cards following a scuffle immediately after the play, and the initial foul on Thiaré went to video review. In the 75th minute, the call was upheld and Miranchuk converted the penalty try.
Tyler Wolff came on as a substitute and put The Five Stripes ahead by two goals. Daniel Ríos played a ball back to Miranchuk who sent a perfect through ball to Wolff who was in on goal. With acres of space, Wolff found himself 1 v 1 with the keeper and got the best of him to take the lead. The Red Bulls pulled a goal back in stoppage time by way of Serge Ngoma, but Atlanta United’s defending held strong until the final whistle.
“Yeah, obviously up and down season individually but you just try to keep yourself in it,” said Tyler Wolff after the match about his winning goal. “You know, I kept telling myself let’s just finish this season strong and then when you get your opportunity to take a chance and yeah, happy to help the team get the three points in the end.”
Atlanta United go into the international break with a record (9-14-10, 37 points) and returns to action on Decision Day, Saturday, Oct. 19. The Five Stripes travel that day to face Orlando City SC at Inter&Co Stadium (6:00 p.m. ET, MLS Season Pass, 92.9 The Game, La Mejor).
-Jon Jones
Photos: Courtesy of ATL UTD