NYCFC draw Atlanta United 1-1 with pair of second half goals

Courtesy: NYCFC

By Chris Tsakonas

A quick exchange of second half goals resulted in a 1-1 draw between New York City FC and Atlanta United, as both sides split the points tonight at Yankee Stadium. Gabriel Pereira had the goal for NYCFC, while Giannis Giakoumakis scored for Atlanta United.

“I think it feels like an opportunity missed,” head coach Nick Cushing said after the match. “You play against 10 for part of the game, and we have the chances at the end, but Atlanta are a good team.”

The first half saw both sides trade early opportunities. In the 2nd minute, a free kick from the right flank allowed Thiago Almada to deliver a dangerous cross to Miles Robinson, who failed to get the header on frame. In the 9th minute, Talles Magno had a go from 15 yards out that was blocked by the defense.

Gabe Segal got the start again as the center forward, and he had a pair of chances in the first half. The most dangerous came in the 18th minute, when Segal got on the end of a through ball in the box before colliding with Brad Guzan. 

Atlanta United looked as though they had the opening goal in the 22nd minute, when Derrick Etienne Jr. scored off a rebounded save from Almada’s initial shot. The goal was disallowed, as Etienne Jr. was offside on the initial through ball into the area.

The complexion of the match changed entirely in the 59th minute, when Franco Ibarra caught James Sands with a studs up standing challenge at midfield. After a lengthy VAR review, Ibarra was sent off - and Atlanta United were down to 10 men.

“We hope it's not a fracture or break,” Cushing said. “At the moment there is a lot of swelling there.”

In the 70th minute, Atlanta United got the breakthrough. After his initial corner was blocked, Almada got it back and sent in a cross to the back post. Giakoumakis beat Luis Barraza at the back post to go up a goal while down a man.

Just seconds later, New York City equalized. Gabriel Pereira broke free down the right flank, and beat Guzan with a powerful finish into the top left corner.

With the draw, New York City FC remain unbeaten through three matches at Yankee Stadium this season. Up next, NYCFC will head over to Queens next weekend to host Nashville SC.