Atlanta United 4-3 NYCFC: Comeback Of The Year?
On March 29, 2025, Atlanta United hosted New York City FC at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in a highly anticipated MLS match, ending with a dramatic 4-3 victory for the home side.
The Five Stripes’ starting 11 featured a cast of returning players from the international break, and the debut of Dominik Chong-Qui, who replaced Pedro Almador just before kick-off. At 17 years old, Chong-Qui is the second youngest player to start a match for Atlanta United. A start that he may soon want to forget.
First Half: NYFC Early Lead and Equalizer
The game started with New York City FC taking an early lead in the 15th minute. After a blistering run into the box and a shot from Alonso Martinez, Hannes Wolf ended up on the right side of the rebound to slot the ball into the far side of the net despite Gregersen's efforts to get a block in, putting NYCFC ahead 1-0. This goal set the tone for a first half that seemed to be heading towards another lackluster Atlanta United performance.
Atlanta responded in the 42nd minute, Alexey Miranchuk equalized with a clinical finish off a touch in the box from Emmanuel Latte Lath, making the score 1-1 at halftime. The goal provided a noticeable momentum shift in the game, going into halftime tied up at 1-1.
Second Half: NYFC Early Goals and Comeback
Atlanta United made a change at the start of the second half that saw Ajani Fortune come on for Bartosz Slisz, who was seen limping off the field in the first half. Early in the second half, New York City FC regained the lead. In the 48th minute, Alonso Martinez was served a ball over the top that left Derrick Williams spinning, and Brooks Lennon left to cover. Unfortunately for the Atlanta United faithful, Lennon went straight through Martinez, drawing a penalty kick, which Alonso Martinez converted, restoring NYCFC's lead at 2-1. Four minutes later, Atlanta United's young left back made a dire mistake taking a heavy touch inside their box, leading to a turnover and Hannes Wolf slotting home the ball from Julian Fernandez for a brace. NYFC now leads 3-1.
In the 57th minute, Atlanta United made two tactical changes that saw Matthew Edwards come in for Dominik Chang-Qui and Xande Silva come in for Mateusz Klich, shifting Saba to the right side. A side that he has looked good on during his time there this season.
Atlanta's resilience and attacking prowess shone through in the last half hour of the match. In the 59th minute, Brad Guzan punched out a dangerous, on-target cross into the box, alleviating the impending pressure from NYFC following their third goal. Three minutes later, a dangerous cross from Saba streaking down the right side of the pitch put the NYCFC defense on the back foot, and Keaton Parks inadvertently turned the ball into his net, reducing their lead to 3-2. The own goal shifted the momentum in the game and the mood in the stadium, sparking a real sense that a comeback could be afoot.
The equalizer came in the 75th minute, courtesy of Miguel Almiron. After Edwards and Silva worked the left side of the field, Almiron received a cross from Xande Silva and headed it home, tying the game at 3-3.
The winning moment arrived in the 84th minute when Emmanuel Latte Lath sealed the victory. A long ball from Brad Guzan found Latte Lath, who capitalized on a miscommunication between the NYFC defender and goalkeeper, and finished clinically past the keeper with a lofted shot, securing a 4-3 win for Atlanta United.
Post-Match Thoughts
This victory was undoubtedly needed to boost Atlanta United’s position in the Eastern Conference and seasonal momentum overall. After the start of the first half, we started to see the Five Stripes slip into the same groove we saw against Charlotte, where the attack and midfield looked like they were gassed, and the defense didn’t look poised to play out of the back without making mistakes. It is still early in the season, but Atlanta’s defenders need to clean up their passing and touches to minimize the mistakes we’ve seen through the first six games. I think Atlanta needs to take a look at moving Saba to the right and Almiron to the center permanently. Saba has looked efficient down the right side in the couple of appearances we’ve seen, being able to whip crosses into the box with his favored right foot favors the team. This team needs find consistency to be able to make a run in the Eastern Conference for one of its top playoff spots.