April 28, 2024 – Major League Soccer (MLS)
Atlanta United FC News Release
CHICAGO – Atlanta United drew Chicago Fire FC 0-0 at Soldier Field on Saturday night. Homegrown defender Efraín Morales made his MLS debut with his appearance in the starting lineup.
Chicago had the first chance of the match in the eighth minute. Chris Mueller muscled his way down the right side and delivered a cross to Georgious Koutsias at the top of the six, but the striker volleyed his effort onto the crossbar. Atlanta’s first opportunity came down its left side where Thiago Almada was played into space. His initial cross was blocked but fell right to Tristan Muyumba at the edge of the box. The French midfielder made a move around the defender and took a shot towards the far post, but his attempt went wide of the mark.
Atlanta grew into the game and in the 24th minute they found the back of the net through Tyler Wolff, but the play was ruled offside. Brooks Lennon played Giorgos Giakoumakis in over the top, but the Greek striker was ruled offside by a narrow margin. A couple of minutes later, Lennon delivered a cross to an open Saba Lobjadnize near the penalty spot and the Georgian’s header was forced wide by Chris Brady. Atlanta created a couple of half chances near the end of the half but the game remained scoreless at the break.
Both teams struggled to create clear scoring opportunities in the early part of the second half. After coming on as a second half sub, Daniel Ríos tried to backheel a low Lobjanidze cross in the 73rd minute, but the attempt was blocked by a Chicago defender. A couple minutes later, Almada curled a long free kick from the left side towards the top right corner, but Brady was able to leap and tip it over the bar.
In the 79th minute, Atlanta’s best chance of the match rattled off the crossbar. After a beautiful team move, Edwin Mosquera cut a cross back to Almada 11 yards from goal. The Argentine’s first touch bounced the ball up and he volleyed a shot off the crossbar with his next touch.
Atlanta had another dangerous chance in the 85th minute when Almada floated a cross to the back post which met Ríos for a point-blank header that was swatted away by Brady to keep the match scoreless.
Atlanta United (3-3-3, 12 points) returns to action Saturday, May 4 when it hosts Minnesota United at Mercedes-Benz Stadium (7:30 p.m. ET, MLS Season Pass, 92.9 The Game, La Mejor). All Atlanta United matches are available with an MLS Season Pass subscription, located on…
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