Photo: Amanda Cortese
Atlanta United 3-0 Chicago Fire
ATLANTA, GA–Atlanta United made it 7-for-7 in home league matches against Chicago Fire FC as they romped to a 3-0 victory at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. The Five Stripes dominated play in the first half outshooting the Fire, 16-3, and were rewarded a minute before halftime when Saba Lobjanidze sent a low cross to Giorgio Giakoumakis who scored from point blank range.
The Fire’s attack appeared too passive at times and being overthought at other times. The Fire would show more endeavor in the second half, but rarely did they look like they were going to test Brad Guzan in goal.
Meanwhile, Atlanta would double their advantage in the 65th minute when Jamal Thiare headed in a cross from Brooks Lennon just seconds after coming on as a substitute. Thiare would add a second to his tally in stoppage time on his birthday after pouncing on a rebound after an initial shot from Thiago Almada hit the goalpost.
Photo: Jim Stapp
Prior to that third goal for Atlanta, Carlos Teran was shown a straight red in the 84th minute for a studs up challenge on Edwin Mosquera.
Atlanta travel to NYCFC next Saturday (6:30pm CT, Apple TV) while the Fire return home to face Houston Dynamo (7:30pm CT, Apple TV).
Both Atlanta’s Jim Stapp and Chicago’s Amanda Cortese were on hand for photos. Click on each name for links to their respective galleries.
