Atlanta United Falls 2-0 at Toronto FC

March 23, 2024 – Major League Soccer (MLS)
Atlanta United FC News Release

Atlanta United battles Toronto FC
(Atlanta United FC)

ATLANTA – Atlanta United fell 2-0 on the road to Toronto FC Saturday night at BMO Field. Atlanta’s starting lineup featured six players making their first starts of the season in Noah Cobb, Ronald Hernández, Dax McCarty, Tyler Wolff, Nicolas Firmino and Jamal Thiaré, with the latter two recording their first career MLS starts.

Atlanta had its first opportunity in the 12th minute as Wolff intercepted a pass in the attacking third. The Homegrown winger played a cross to the penalty spot for Saba Lobjanidze however his volleyed, left-footed effort was just off target.

Toronto scored the game’s opening goal in the 35th minute through Tyrese Spicer as he cut in from the left wing onto his right foot and hit a low shot to the left corner of the goal. Atlanta had a chance to level the match just four minutes later when Brooks Lennon delivered a wide free kick from the left side into the box towards Derrick Williams, but the header went straight to Toronto goalkeeper Luka Gavran.

Guzan made a key save in the 43rd minute after Lorenzo Insigne and Federico Bernardeschi combined off a short corner kick before serving a ball towards the six-yard box. Guzan reacted quickly to deflect the header from a Toronto attacker over the crossbar. Guzan tallied eight saves on the night.

Atlanta created another scoring opportunity in the 66th minute as Lobjanidze combined with a teammate who played the winger into the box towards the penalty spot but his shot was deflected wide of the net.

Toronto added a second in the 71st minute from Prince Owusu. Guzan made the initial diving save from a hard-hit shot on target, however the rebound fell to the striker in front of goal who passed his finish into the net.

Atlanta United (2-2-0, 6 points) returns to action Sunday, March 31 when it hosts Chicago Fire at Mercedes-Benz Stadium (3:30 p.m. ET, MLS Season Pass, FOX, FOX Deportes, 92.9 The Game, SiriusXM, La Mejor). All Atlanta United matches are available with an MLS Season Pass subscription, located on the Apple TV app.

Match Summary

Stats

Shots: 21-7 Toronto

Shots on target: 10-3 Toronto

Corner kicks: 7-7

Fouls Committed: 14-8 Toronto

xG: 2.9 – 0.6 Toronto

Possession: 52-48 Atlanta

Passing accuracy: 88-85 Toronto

Scoring

TOR – Tyrese Spicer 35′ (Kerr, Insigne)

TOR – Prince Owusu 71′

Disciplinary

TOR – Kevin Long 30′
Notes

Nicolas Firmino and Jamal Thiaré both made their first…