ATLANTA — Atlanta United won its third consecutive match on Wednesday, beating Toronto FC 1-0 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Ezequiel Barco scored the game-winner while recently signed Designated Player Luiz Araújo made his Atlanta United debut. Atlanta collected its third consecutive win and extended its unbeaten streak to four matches.
The club’s new Brazilian forward wasted no time integrating himself into the team’s attack, putting his first shot on frame with a blast from outside the box that forced a save from goalkeeper Quentin Westberg in the eighth minute. Three minutes later, Marcelino Moreno took a shot from outside the box that was hit true, but it ascended just over the crossbar.
Toronto eventually conceded as Atlanta took the lead in the 20th minute through Barco. Brooks Lennon sent a long ball down the right side where the Argentine forward gathered it inside the 18-yard-box. He retreated to the right edge of the box before turning towards goal and facing Eriq Zavaleta one-on-one. Barco took a few small touches while shying to his left before unleashing a left-footed shot that took a slight deflection off Zavaleta’s boot before falling into the top left corner of the net, leaving Westberg flat-footed.
Atlanta continued to press forward and look for goals but in the 53rd minute, Toronto subbed on a trio of usual starters in Alejandro Pozuelo, Yeferson Soteldo and Kemar Lawrence to try and find an equalizer. Pozuelo nearly leveled the match in the 71st minute when a ball was lofted across the box where he was unmarked at the back post. Pozuelo one-timed a bouncing shot on goal, but Brad Guzan was well-positioned to parry it away from danger.
Atlanta had a pair of late opportunities to extend its lead. In the 83rd, Moreno took a low shot across goal and missed just wide of the left post. Four minutes later, Barco chipped a ball over Toronto’s backline for Josef Martínez where the Venezuelan one-timed a shot right at Westberg. The rebound fell to Erik López, who put the ball in the back of the net, but Martínez was called offside on the initial ball.
Atlanta (5-6-9, 24 points) returns to action Saturday when it travels to face D.C. United at Audi Field (8:00 p.m., Bally Sports South, Star 94.1, La Mejor).
