Atlanta United Falls 3-1 at Nashville SC

April 29, 2023 – Major League Soccer (MLS) – Atlanta United FC News Release

Atlanta United vs. Nashville SC
(Atlanta United FC)

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Atlanta United fell 3-1 to Nashville SC at GEODIS Park on Saturday afternoon. Thiago Almada scored his fifth goal of the season, while Brooks Lennon made his 100th appearance for the club in all competitions.

After Nashville began the match on the front foot, Atlanta started to find its way on offense. In the 22nd minute, Juanjo Purata came close off a Lennon corner kick, but his near-post header went wide. A couple minutes later, after a good passing sequence down the left side, Matheus Rossetto ripped a shot from 22 yards out that forced Joe Willis into a save.

In the 36th minute, Nashville found the breakthrough off a set piece. Hany Mukhtar sent a cross from the left side into the six-yard box. Walker Zimmerman flicked the ball on at the near post and Fafa Picault tapped the ball in from close range. The home side took a 1-0 lead into halftime.

Nashville doubled its lead in the 56th minute. Mukhtar was played into space down the left side, cut in on his right foot and hit a shot that was saved by Clement Diop, however the rebound fell right to Teal Bunbury who tapped it in for the 2-0 lead.

Atlanta made two attacking substitutions in Derrick Etienne Jr. and Miguel Berry at the hour mark and then in the 72nd minute the team was rewarded for its efforts. Lennon played a low cross into the box to Rossetto who was fouled by Dax McCarty as he tried to turn with the ball. After not giving the foul initially, referee Joe Dickerson went to the video monitor and gave the penalty. Almada stepped up to the spot for his first MLS penalty and converted with a low shot to his right leaving Willis wrong-footed.

As Atlanta was looking for the equalizer, Nashville scored on a counter-attack in stoppage time to secure all three points. Mukhtar played a through ball between Atlanta’s center backs and Jacob Shaffelburg ran onto it and then slotted the ball into the bottom right corner past Diop.

Atlanta United (5-2-3, 18 points) returns to action when it travels to Inter Miami CF on Saturday, May 6 at DRV PNK Stadium (7:30 p.m., 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.

Match Summary

Stats

Shots: 17-11 Atlanta

Shots on target: 4-2 Nashville

Corner kicks: 7-3 Atlanta

Fouls Committed: 12-11 Atlanta

xG: 2.39 – 1.42…