Gutman golazo seals very important house win

Atlanta United picked up what could also be an important results of their season with a 2-1 win over the Seattle Sounders at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

Each side went into the match determined to select up all three factors to spice up their possibilities of making the MLS Cup Playoffs – Atlanta nursing a run of simply three wins of their final 17 MLS matches and the Sounders shedding 4 of their final six.

After some carefully fought opening exchanges, it was Atlanta United who took the lead, with Mexican ahead Ronaldo Cisneros’ effort taking an enormous deflection off Nouhou Tolo to enter the online after some nice work down the left flank by Caleb Wiley and Luiz Araujo.

Seattle recovered effectively and nearly equalized within the thirty second minute, however goalkeeper Rocco Rios Novo was in a position to tip Jordan Morris’ diving header onto the publish.

For the following 20 minutes both aspect of half-time, the 5 Stripes dominated, with Thiago Almada and Araujo each seeing efforts saved by Sounders ‘keeper Stefan Frei.

However because the second half wore on, Seattle grew in confidence and eventually grabbed a well-deserved equalizer within the 68th minute when Cristian Roldan fired house contained in the field after seeing his preliminary effort blocked by Franco Ibarra – who cheaply gave away the ball within the build-up.

For an extended whereas, it regarded just like the Sounders would go all the best way and snatch the win, piling strain on the hosts. Nevertheless it was Atlanta United who took all three factors due to substitute Andrew Gutman’s unimaginable strike from distance deep into second-half added time.

It was pandemonium within the stands because the 5 Stripes took a significant victory that strikes them to inside a degree of the MLS Cup Playoffs – not less than for a couple of hours.

Listed here are the total participant rankings from a dramatic afternoon in Atlanta:

GK: Rocco Rios Novo – 7/10 – May do nothing in regards to the aim. Made a few vital saves.

RB: Aiden McFadden – 5/10 – A little bit too protected on the ball and regarded misplaced at occasions, however stored at it and labored laborious.

CB: Alan Franco – 8/10 – Clear on the ball and got here up with some vital defensive contributions.

CB: Juan Jose Purata – 8/10 – Is already Atlanta United’s greatest center-back. Simply cruises by way of the match with glorious composure.

LB: Caleb Wiley – 7/10 – A few careless giveaways early on however recovered effectively and was vital within the opening aim.

CM: Santiago Sosa – 6/10 – One other strong effort from Sosa on each side of the ball. Regaining health.

CM: Matheus Rossetto – 6/10 – Was having a very good sport on the ball earlier than being pressured out with an ankle harm simply earlier than half-time.

RW: Ronaldo Cisneros – 7/10 – Scored the all-important opening aim and supplied good vitality down the best flank.

CAM: Thiago Almada – 8/10 – Wasn’t Almada’s simplest sport, however nonetheless had loads of full of life moments and at all times regarded to create. Has set a excessive customary.

LW: Luiz Araujo – 8/10 – Atlanta United’s most threatening attacker, helping Cisneros’ aim and practically scoring one himself. 100% success together with his dribbles.

ST: Josef Martinez – 4/10 – Was uncharacteristically sloppy on the ball and much too remoted. Shut down by the Seattle protection.

SUB: Marcelino Moreno (45′, for Rossetto) – 6/10 – A few brilliant moments however by no means actually scared Seattle.

SUB: Franco Ibarra (65′, for Cisneros) – 2/10 – Poor giveaway for Seattle’s aim, by no means adjusted to the match.

SUB: Andrew Gutman (81′, for Sosa) – 9/10 – Wasn’t on for lengthy however got here up with one of many objectives of the season to win the match.

SUB: Edwin Mosquera (81′, for McFadden) – 6/10 – A late cameo, however obtained Atlanta United followers going with some thrilling dribbles and crosses.

GK: Stefan Frei – 7/10 – Blocked by Nouhou on the aim however made some vital saves to maintain Seattle within the sport.

RB: Alex Roldan – 8/10 – Got here alive within the second half and was an attacking menace on the best flank.

CB: Yeimar Gomez – 6/10 – Strong however not precisely overworked by Martinez.

CB: Xavier Arreaga – 5/10 – Misplaced focus a few occasions however was usually clear and tidy.

LB: Nouhou Tolo – 5/10 – Bought in his goalkeeper’s approach and deflected the primary aim into his personal web.

CM: Cristian Roldan – 8/10 – Absolutely deserving of his aim after a efficiency filled with creativity and attacking endeavour.

CM: Albert Rusnak – 7/10 – Clocked up quite a lot of yards in a hard-working midfield efficiency however wasn’t in a position to supply a telling contribution in assault.

RW: Jordan Morris – 6/10 – Got here shut with a header saved onto the publish by Rios Novo however was in any other case stored quiet.

CAM: Nico Lodeiro – 8/10 – All the things constructive from the Sounders went by way of Lodiero, who picked up pockets of area everywhere in the pitch.

LW: Leo Chu – 2/10 – Virtually non-existent, hardly touching the ball and failing to check Atlanta United when he did.

ST: Will Bruin – 5/10 – Labored laborious however was remoted. Solely touched the ball 13 occasions.

SUB: Danny Leyva (55′, for Chu) – 7/10 – Far more concerned than Chu and was clear and crisp with the ball.

SUB: Raul Ruidiaz (55′, for Bruin) – 6/10 – Got here shut with a robust effort from distance close to the top.

SUB: Josh Atencio (89′, for Rusnak) – N/A – Too late to have an effect on the sport.

Watch the story of Charlotte FC’s journey to MLS in 90min’s The Making of Charlotte FC, introduced by DoorDash, on 90min channels now. Subscribe to our new US YouTube channel.