Atlanta United Goals: Moreno 17'
New York City FC Goals: Thórarinsson 90'
Quick Read
New York City FC were on the road on Wednesday night as they took on Atlanta United at Mercedez-Benz Arena. The Boys in Blue fell behind in the first half when Luiz Araújo assisted Marcelino Moreno to score. NYCFC battled tirelessly to find a route back into the game, and found a 90th-minute equalizer via a sensational freekick from Gudi Thórarinsson.
Match Recap
New York City FC were on the hunt for three points on Wednesday night against an Atlanta United side also chasing a place in the playoffs.
Head Coach Ronny Deila made three changes to the team that faced the Red Bulls on Sunday, with Malte Amundsen, Alfredo Morales, and Thiago Andrade coming in for Gudi Thórarinsson, Maxime Chanot, and Sebastien Rodríguez.
The Boys in Blue started brightly, and in the 7th minute a strong run from Keaton Parks finished with a long-range drive that forced Brad Guzan to tip the ball over for a corner.
They followed that up with a fast breakaway in the 15th minute that allowed Maxi Moralez to slide Thiago in behind – but his efforts to be unselfish and square it to Medina ended up with the ball in the hands of Brad Guzan.
The hosts took the lead in the 17th minute when a turnover on the halfway line allowed Atlanta to counter through Luiz Araújo – the Brazilian playing it to Marcelino Moreno to score.
Atlanta’s back-three system was affording them a numerical advantage when NYCFC managed to attack, but Ronny Deila's side remained determined in their efforts to create chances.
At the other end, Sean Johnson was kept busy between the posts, and in the 37th minute he was called into action when Araujo was given a chance to score from a freekick.
The Boys in Blue had a chance to restore parity right on half-time, but Medina’s freekick was cleared away from danger.
The second period started with the hosts in the ascendency and that saw Cubo Torres get an early look at goal that was well parried by Johnson. That was followed up in the 55th minute by a chance for George Bello that crashed against the crossbar.
At the other end, a freekick from Medina landed on the head of Alex Callens, but he was unable to keep his effort down.
Not long after that, in the 62nd minute, Ronny Deila turned to his bench and introduced Rodríguez and Thórarinsson in place of Amundsen and Medina.
Rodríguez didn’t take long to involve himself in the action, and fired off a strike from distance in the 65th minute to test Guzan.
Still pushing for a tying goal, Deila turned to his bench for a second time in the 73rd minute to introduce Gedion Zelalem and Talles Magno in place of Morales and Thiago.
As the 86th minute approached there was a final change for NYCFC as Héber entered the game in place of Parks.
In the end Deila's substitutes would prove highly influential after a driving run from Talles in the 89th minute saw NYCFC win a freekick in a dangerous position. The Brazilian handed the ball to another sub in Thórarinsson, and he curled in a sensational effort past Guzan to tie the game.
That would prove the final goal of the game and allowed NYCFC to leave Atlanta with a 1-1 draw and one more point in their pursuit of a spot in the postseason.
Heineken Man of the Match
How We Lined Up
What's Next
Next up for New York City FC is a meeting with D.C. United at Yankee Stadium on Saturday, October 23, 2021. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30PM EST (YES Network/NYCFC.com/Radio).
