Atlanta United Defeats New England Revolution 4-1

March 9, 2024 – Major League Soccer (MLS) – Atlanta United FC News Release

Atlanta United celebrates win
(Atlanta United FC)

ATLANTA – Atlanta United defeated New England Revolution 4-1 Saturday night at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in the club’s home opener. Giorgos Giakoumakis scored his first hat trick with the club while Thiago Almada scored his first goal of the year to give the club its first win of the season. Almada netted a penalty in first half stoppage time, while Giakoumakis tallied all three of his goals in the second half. Saturday’s attendance of 67,727 was the third-largest soccer crowd in the world today.

Atlanta United piled on pressure from the outset, as Saba Lobjanidze took the game’s first shot in the third minute, cutting into the box from the right side and putting a curling shot just wide of the far post. Almada produced a threatening shot from distance in the 20th minute, while Xande Silva attempted to sneak a shot in at the near post but had his attempt saved in the 30th minute.

It was Almada who ultimately helped engineer the game’s first goal just before the half when Atlanta was awarded a penalty. He received a pass on the left flank and cut in towards goal before attempting to thread a pass to Silva stationed near the penalty spot. A New England defender was able to poke it away towards goal, but Giakoumakis stayed with the play and chased the loose ball while goalkeeper Henrich Ravas was slow to react. Giakoumakis reached the ball first and was brought down by Ravas, prompting the referee to point to the spot. Almada took the spot kick and buried it into the bottom left corner for a 1-0 lead in first half stoppage time.

Atlanta earned a second penalty in the 53rd minute when Nick Lima was called for a hand ball on Silva’s cross in the penalty area. This time, Giakoumakis took the attempt and, similar to Almada, elected to roll it into the bottom left corner while Ravas again went the other way. Atlanta led 2-0 in the 55th minute.

Giakoumakis scored his second of the night through a well-worked goal in the 60th minute. Atlanta was pinned deep inside its own half and broke through the pressure, ultimately finding Silva to lead a break down the middle of the field. Silva found Lennon in space on the right sid where he one-timed a cross to the back post. The Greek forward thunderously headed it home into upper left corner for a commanding 3-0 lead.

He completed his hat trick in the 74th minute with his most impressive goal of the night….