Atlanta United fell 3-1 to Columbus Crew at home in Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Wessam Abou Ali earned a brace for the Crew, along with a goal scored by Max Arfsten, who assisted Ali’s first goal. Atlanta United’s Alexey Miranchuk salvaged a goal for the club.
Both sides had their chances late in the second half, with the Crew having the most to increase their lead. The momentum swayed in the Crew’s favor since the start of the second half.
Abou Ali was first to score for the Crew, netting two goals within five minutes of each other. With the scoreline 2-0, the Crew began to settle, falling back to play counterattacking ball. Focused on defending their lead, they didn’t press as much or as high as before.
Atlanta United was given a lifeline after a goal from Alexey Miranchuk. Elías Báez took a shot from the far left side, hovering outside the box. Patrick Schulte made a diving save, but Miranchuk was there to pounce on the rebound and tap the ball in.
The Crew, almost enraged by the goal, immediately went down the other end the following minute and created an unequal opportunity. Flying down the right wing, Andrés Herrera sent a cross into the center of the box where Max Arfsten slid in for the one-timed goal.
In the early minutes of the 11 minutes of stoppage time, things started getting chippy between the two clubs. After a hard foul on the Crew, Atlanta United’s Tata Martino encroached on the Crew’s technical area. Having words for Crew coach Henrik Rydström, Tata had to be restrained and was eventually given a red card. Columbus’s Dylan Chambost, who was subbed out of the match, received a yellow.
The five stripes will learn from the tough loss and travel next week to Chicago to face the Fire on April 11 at 8:30 PM.
-Jon Jones
Photo: Tony Rebornn