Atlanta United came from behind twice to draw 2-2 with Chicago Fire FC on Wednesday night in its return home to Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Alexey Miranchuk scored his third goal of the season, while Will Reilly scored his first professional goal. Brad Guzan made seven saves in his return from injury as the 5-Stripes extend their home unbeaten run to three.
The Fire opened the scoring in the second minute after earning an early corner kick. Philip Zinckernagel took it from the left side, with the ball going untouched before bouncing into the far post for the quick lead.
Atlanta had its first opportunity in the 10th minute through Pedro Amador. Miranchuk delivered a set piece from the left into the box before the ball was punched out by Chris Brady. It fell to Amador, who hit a half-volley from 30 yards out, but Brady stretched to collect the attempt.
Latte Lath provided Atlanta’s best chance of the half in the 12th minute. Miguel Almirón and Tristan Muyumba combined to poach the Chicago midfield and start a counterattack. Almiron carried the ball down the center of the pitch before feeding Latte Lath one-on-one, but Brady pushed away the Ivorian’s touch toward the net.
Atlanta came out of halftime swinging with the equalizer in the 55th minute. Bartosz Slisz won the ball deep in his own half and carried it up the left sideline before squaring to Almirón at the top of the box. The Paraguayan turned before playing Miranchuk, who touched the ball around a Chicago defender and finished off the far post for his third goal of the season.
Chicago retook the lead in the 79th minute. Andrew Gutman received the ball on the left side of the box and played a short pass to Maren Haile-Selassie, who dribbled around one and finished low in the back post.
In stoppage time, Atlanta took advantage of a corner kick to level once more. Miranchuk delivered from the right and it took a Chicago deflection to leave the ball free in front of the goal line. Reilly reacted first to finish a sliding volley for his first professional goal and earn the team its second consecutive stoppage-time equalizer.
A draw isn’t a loss, but the real question is if it’s enough. “No, not enough, but it’s going in the right direction,” said midfielder Will Reilly after tonight’s draw. “Something to build on, and we just need to get that final push to start getting three points out of these games.”
Atlanta United (4-10-8, 20 points) returns to action Saturday, July 19, when it hosts Charlotte FC at Mercedes-Benz Stadium (7:30 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: ATLUTD