November 2, 2020
Atlanta United defeats FC Cincinnati 2-0 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in the team’s regular season home finale. Adam Jahn scored his third goal of the season while Marcelino Moreno netted his first for the club. Brad Guzan recorded his sixth clean sheet of the season. With the win, Atlanta’s playoff fate will come down to Decision Day presented by AT&T, on Nov. 8 at Columbus Crew SC.
Atlanta United took the lead in the eighth minute through Jahn. Jürgen Damm received a pass from Moreno on the right wing and backed down Andrew Gutman, slowly dribbling into the box. Damm deked his defender, took a touch toward the byline and sent in a low cross for Jahn where the forward smashed the ball home at the edge of the six-yard box.
Atlanta doubled its lead when Jon Gallagher drew a penalty in 25th minute. George Bello found the Irishman in the box where he dribbled by Kendall Waston, who tripped Gallagher after he was beat. Moreno stepped to the spot and drilled his shot down the center of the goal as goalkeeper Spencer Richey guessed to the left.
Guzan made a big save to keep Cincinnati goalless just before the break. Haris Medunjanin delivered a set piece from the left side into the box where Brandon Vazquez was able to get a head to it. Vazquez placed it in the top-right corner, but Guzan was able to make a diving save, pushing the ball away from danger with both hands. Guzan finished with four saves.
Ezequiel Barco checked into the match in the second half and nearly added to Atlanta’s lead in the 68th minute. Bello played a bouncing ball from the left wing across the 18-yard box to the right side where the Argentine one-timed a blistering right-footed shot, but it was hit directly at Richey who parried it away.
Atlanta United (6-12-4, 22 points) returns to action on Decision Day on Nov. 8 against Columbus Crew SC at MAPFRE Stadium (3:30 p.m., FOX Sports Southeast, Sports Radio 92-9 The Game, La Mejor).
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"“It’s an honor to represent a city so rich with history, diversity and culture. Atlanta is the cradle of the Civil Rights Movement, a place that has produced great leaders like Martin Luther King Jr., Andrew Young and John Lewis. We are proud to wear the name ‘Atlanta United’ on our shirt and to be a part of this thriving city. Although we’ve only been here a short time, our commitment to inclusivity and rejecting hate of any kind is a fundamental part of who we are as a club.”
- Darren Eales
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By Atlanta United FC
