Atlanta United defeated By FC Dallas after unable to overcome early goal

ATLANTA- A struggling Atlanta United team fell to FC Dallas 2-0 Saturday afternoon as 6th and 83rd minute identical Dallas goals robbed Atlanta of their first home win of the season. 

Both teams arrived to Atlanta with fresh victories. Atlanta United earned their first league win against the New England Revolution 2-0 after Ezequiel Barco came off of the bench for an injured Eric Remedi in the first few minutes of the game to score the team’s sole two goals to clench the shutout. FC Dallas defeated the Portland Timbers 2-1 to secure a win on their home pitch. 

On a brand-new turf pitch in the Benz, FC Dallas domineered the first minutes of the game. As Atlanta struggled to get the ball out of their half, Dallas kept the intensity and pressure high to hold possession, leading to the first half’s defining moment of a goal by right striker Jesus Ferreira. Michael Barrios earned the assist as FC Dallas broke away into Atlanta’s half and slid a cross to Ferreira’s feet behind Atlanta’s defensive line, where Ferreira was able to face goalkeeper Brad Guzan and place a driven ball into the far right post corner for the goal. 

The remainder of the first half proved frustrating for Atlanta as they kept 70% of the possession and took twice as many shots on goal as Dallas, only three of which were on frame. Josef Martinez was unable to be found in the box as Dallas defenders stayed by his side constantly. 

The second half played out much like the first with a domination of possession by Atlanta with countless missed chances on goal. Dallas goalkeeper led the shutout with six saves in the half before Dallas scored their second and final goal of the match in the 83rd minute. The goal appeared identical to the first half’s as Dallas broke away from their defending third and Barrios led the ball up the line, crossed to Acosta where he was able to slide the ball right past Atlanta’s Guzan unmanned and open. 

With six minutes stoppage time at the end of the half, FC Dallas’s Gruerzo conceded a foul in the box, awarding a penalty kick to Atlanta which Josef Martinez drove into the right side of the net to being the game to 2-1. 

Atlanta United will play Colorado next week and FC Dallas will take on San Jose and try for a three-game winning streak.