Atlanta United x Chicago Fire

On Sunday, Atlanta United prevailed 2-1 against the Chicago Fire thanks to an own goal scored by Chicago in stoppage time. Atlanta United's home undefeated record was preserved thanks to the late game-winning goal.

In the 13th minute, Giakoumakis scored his fifth goal of the season to give Atlanta United a 1-0 lead. Almada spotted Lennon's diagonal run on the right side after they had controlled the ball for most of the first few minutes. Then, with Giakoumakis in a perfect position, Lennon crossed the ball into the box. The 5-Stripes seized the lead in the first minute when the Greek attacker took a touch to get possession of the ball and then knocked it past Chicago goalie Chris Brady.

But in the 90th minute, Atlanta United gave up a goal to Chicago and lost their long-held lead. The Atlanta defense was unable to reassemble in time after giving up a turnover, and the ball was able to get past their defense. Clément Diop, who made his debut for Atlanta United in the second half when starter Quentin Westberg was substituted, came out to save a breakaway effort from Kacper Przybylko. Przybylko was still within the box when the Fire collected the ball after it was saved by Diop. However, the second time, the Fire made no mistake, making it 1-1.

Without numerous players, including leading scorers Giakoumakis and Thiago Almada, who had been substituted earlier in the half, Atlanta United strained to find the winning goal with the score tied at 1-1 deep into stoppage time. The game-winning goal was set up by a Brooks Lennon corner kick for Atlanta United. The ball hit Juanjo Purata and then ricocheted off of Maren Haile-Selassie of Chicago, resulting in an own goal. The 99th minute goal was the latest ever scored by Atlanta United to give the home squad a memorable 3 points.

[Photography by Rachel Pearce]