- And The Challenger Is – 2023 AFC West Preview - September 7, 2023
- Tyrese Maxey Is Approaching Stardom Very “Fast” - November 15, 2022
- Three Hot Takes From The Hawks’ Impressive Win Over Knicks - November 3, 2022
Atlanta, Ga– Miguel Almiron’s two penalty kick goals helped ignite the Atlanta United (4-1) move into second place in the Eastern Conference with 12 points. They defeated the Los Angeles Football Club (2-2) 5-0 on Saturday evening.
Atlanta United came into match ranked fifth in the league in goals scored (6.8) and the Football Club ranked sixth (6.4).
Within the first minute, United’s Chris McCann was issued a red card for a questionable tackle. After an video review, the ejection was rescinded and changed to a yellow card. “I was like here we go again, we’re down to ten men but I was pretty happy they reversed that call,” said Julian Gressel.
After reversing the red card, the physicality of the game didn’t affect the referees calls.
Atlanta dominated the time of possession and was on the attack within the first 15 minutes of the match.
In the 17th-minute, Almiron attempted to center a pass right in front of the Los Angeles’ goal keeper Tyler Miller which just missed Josef Martinez straight to Gressel which had an open net for the goal.
Gressel made his impact on the match again in the 67th-minute when dribbling down towards the side of the goal. He lobbed a high archer assist right over Miller’s head right into the pocket of Martinez between two defenders who sent a header into an wide open net for a 2-0 lead.
Atlanta threatened again in the 86th minute after Almiron was tackled which appeared to illegal but was giving a yellow card. The official reversed the call and Almiron was awarded a penalty kick in which he shot it right passed Miller on the left side of the net.
In stoppage time (92-minute), Almiron again got another chance to score on a penalty kick after attempting a free kick outside of the 18-inch box and one of the Football Club’s players got penalized for using his hands.
Almiron scored by kicking it in the lower left hand corner of the net for his second goal.
To end the game, Romario Williams who was substituted in scored in the 97th-minute to seal the game 5-0.
The United next opponent will be New York City FC at Mercedes-Benz Stadium next Sunday.
