Atlanta United got in the win column in their home opener over Chicago Fire FC. Ezquiel Barco opened the scoring in the 23rd minute with a wonder strike after his initial free kick went off the wall. If that was mind-blowing, how they allowed the equalizer was mind-numbing. A seemingly harmless Boris Sekulic somehow found its way past three defenders and to Luka Stojanovic who struck one minute into the second half.
Mental errors have been more of a Fire thing in recent times and that came to be in the 66th minute when Marcelino Moreno’s cross was not handled by Bobby Shuttleworth, deflected off Johan Kappelhof, and in for an own goal. Emerson Hyndman would settle matters with an insurance goal five minutes from time.
The Five Stripes next play Philadelphia Union on Tuesday in the first leg of their Concacaf Champions League quarterfinal. The Fire travel to New York Red Bulls in league play next Saturday.
Jim Stapp was our photo man in Atlanta, and below is a sample of his work and you can view more by clicking the link: https://prostamerika.smugmug.com/MLS-Photos/Atlanta-United/2021-Season/Match-2-Chicago-Fire
Photo: Jim Stapp
Atlanta United
