Atlanta United x Toronto FC

Atlanta United hosted Toronto FC at Mercedes-Benz Stadium over the weekend in a hotly contested match. In the second half, the two Eastern Conference sides battled it out, with both teams striking on long-range shots. To make his Atlanta United debut, substitute Giorgos Giakoumakis came on in the 59th minute and nearly won the game with a goal that was disallowed due to an offsides call. The first of the two regular-season matches between the teams ended in a 1-1 tie.

Brad Guzan produced the night's most impressive save in the 50th minute. Federico Bernardeschi was waiting at the far post for the cross, and when the ball was delivered to him, he struck the ball toward the goal. Guzan responded swiftly to the shot and made a tremendous stop to prevent the visitors from scoring. Although Guzan saved the first effort by Bernardeschi, he was unable to stop the second. The forward was given a long ball, and he pushed up the field with little opposition. He lined up a left-footed effort that he drove low into the right corner in the 52nd minute, putting Toronto FC ahead 1-0. 

In the 60th minute, Atlanta United finally found the net to equalize. Almada passed to Matheus Rossetto, who smashed a long-range effort from the top of the 18-yard box. The ball hit off two defenders and sailed into the top left corner to knot the score at one apiece. Despite chances going back and forth for both sides, the scoreline would settle at 1-1 when the full 90 hit.

[Photography by ICONIC Photographer Rachel Pearce]