WASHINGTON — Atlanta United fell to D.C. United 2-1 on Wednesday night at RFK Stadium in front of 14,594 fans.
Julian Gressel scored his third goal of the year while Yamil Asad added his league-leading ninth assist on the play. Goals from Luciano Acosta and Patrick Nyarko gave D.C. United the win. Atlanta returns to action Saturday against Colorado Rapids.
“We made mistakes tonight, especially individual marking mistakes and it’s obvious that those mistakes have cost us,” Atlanta United head coach Tata Martino said. “They were individual mistakes and I think you’ve seen in the games we’ve played that we controlled possession, but D.C. is able to take advantage of the errors.”
For the 13th time in 16 matches, Atlanta United registered the first goal, this time coming from Gressel in the 17th minute. Yamil Asad started the play by playing a streaking Miguel Almiron through on the left wing. Almiron then crossed for Gressel, who blasted one into the roof of the net. It was Asad’s league-leading ninth assist on the season, while Almiron added his fifth assist of the season.
Acosta equalized six minutes later after intercepting an errant pass. The midfielder entered the Atlanta penalty area and drilled one to the near post to tie the match.
In the 60th minute, Nyarko put D.C. United ahead after receiving a cross from Ian Harkes. The Ghanaian midfielder took one touch right on line of the 18-yard box before hammering home a half volley.
Atlanta United (6-7-3, 21 points) returns to MLS action on Saturday, June 24 against Colorado Rapids. Kickoff from Bobby Dodd Stadium is scheduled for 7 p.m. and will be televised on FOX Sports Southeast.
