New York City FC defeated Atlanta United 1-0 at Red Bull Stadium on Wednesday evening, with Ismael Tajouri-Shradi scoring the game's only goal in the 69th minute. NYCFC outshot Atlanta with seven shots on target compared to three for Atlanta, earning a midweek win and moving into fourth place in the Eastern Conference standings.

Atlanta was put under pressure as early as the fourth minute when Medina was on the receiving end of a wonderful through ball but Guzan denied him a finish. While NYCFC dominated the first 25 minutes, Atlanta began to gain a foothold in the game and had their first chance of the night in the 28th minute, when Erik Lopez was denied by Johnson after being set up by Bello.

Keaton Parks approached Atlanta's scoring area with no opposition and appeared to be taken down in the box early in the second half, which sparked much controversy. Despite NYCFC's claims of a penalty, Video Assistant Referee Jose Carlos Rivero judged there was no foul and play continued without a review, but it served as a warning flag for an Atlanta team hunting for their first league win away from home this season.

With 30 minutes left, it appeared as though NYCFC would finally score, but back-to-back chances by Moralez and Castellanos went begging courtesy to a crucial save by Guzan and an Atlanta defensive clearing. Barco attempted an on-target free-kick, which Johnson blocked. In the 69th minute, though, NYCFC got their first goal. Parks passed the ball to Castellanos, whose wonderfully timed pass was converted by Tajouri-Shradi to make the score 1-0.

It was a tale of two teams eager to get back on track. However, when compared to an Atlanta team that played flat and aimless for much of the evening, NYCFC were definitely the better team.

[Photography by ICONIC photographer Hannah Ally]