Atlanta United and Red Bulls play to scoreless draw
Points shared in Atlanta
It was a 0-0 deadlock Saturday night inside the Mercedes Benz Stadium as the visiting New York Red Bulls visited Atlanta in MLS Match Day Three. Atlanta now is 1-1-1 on the season in a six-way tie for sixth place in a log-jammed Eastern Conference table.
Everything was there for Atlanta on Saturday night, everything but the final, elusive finish to separate the sides. Atlanta forced seven saves in twelve goal-scoring attempts but the New York defense kept the door closed over the 90 minutes of soccer.
The Atlanta defense limited the Red Bulls to zero shots on target and clearly got a boost from left back Pedro Amador on his return to the Atlanta lineup after injuries had kept him out of the first tow matches of the season.
In a game of “what could have been” in the attacking third, it was nevertheless a clean sheet for the Five Stripes correcting some defensive miscues seen in the backline in weeks one and two on the season.
"We got some positives tonight including a clean sheet to build on," said center back Derrick Williams. "In the first half we really played some good stuff. I think it was the best we've played in a long time since I've been here, even last season."
Atlanta stays undefeated at home in this early-season stretch and now has four of their next five matches at home inside the Benz. A strong run of home form over these next few matches could really see the Five Stripes claim a spot at the top of a very competitive MLS Eastern Conference in 2025.