Atlanta United score first regular-season win over RBNY

Updated: Oct 12, 2023, 03:20 pm
Giorgos Giakoumakis scored his second Atlanta goal to lead his new team to victory over the New York Red Bulls.
Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

Giorgos Giakoumakis scored in the seventh minute and Atlanta United held on from there to defeat the visiting New York Red Bulls 1-0 on Saturday night.

It marked Atlanta's first regular-season win over the Red Bulls since entering MLS in 2017.

- Stream on ESPN+: LaLiga, Bundesliga, more (U.S.)

The Five Stripes benefited from Giakoumakis' early goal off Red Bulls goalkeeper Carlos Coronel's blunder, then played keep-away as much as possible the rest of the way, finishing with 59 percent of the possession. Atlanta was outshot 15-8 but had four shots on target compared to New York's two.

Atlanta United (4-1-1, 13 points) bounced back from a tough 6-1 defeat to the Columbus Crew last week when many of their regulars were out on international duty.

New York (1-2-3, 6 points) was blanked for the third time this season and has mustered just four goals over six matches.

Coronel made three saves for the Red Bulls. Brad Guzan had two for Atlanta United.

The teams combined for 10 yellow cards on the night, six for New York and four for Atlanta.

Atlanta struck early when Thiago Almada, who entered the week leading MLS with eight goal contributions (four goals, four assists), took a right-footed shot from well outside the box. Coronel got his hands on the ball but didn't secure it, and Giakoumakis sprinted in to collect the rebound and score his second goal of the season.

Coronel's rough night continued when he collided with Almada on a play several minutes after the goal. Coronel was bleeding from the face and required a bandage wrapped around his head.

Cristian Casseres Jr. and Andres Reyes of New York and Miles Robinson of Atlanta all saw yellow during first-half stoppage time. Reyes subbed out after halftime due to injury, replaced by Dylan Nealis.

New York forward Dante Vanzeir also entered after halftime and took his first shot about 20 seconds in. That set the tone for the Red Bulls to be more aggressive in the second half as they sought an equalizer.

Two minutes after Vanzeir missed right from close range, Sean Nealis' header was saved by Guzan in the 66th.

Casseres had a shot sail too high in the second minute of stoppage time.

Coronel saved New York the embarrassment of a second goal when he dove in front of Matheus Rossetto's attempt from the center of the box.