CHICAGO — Atlanta United fell 2-1 to Chicago Fire FC Saturday afternoon at Soldier Field.
Chicago scored on the first scoring chance of the match for either side in the 14th minute. After Alexey Miranchuk was called for a handball in the box as he was defending an attack, Hugo Cuypers stepped up to the penalty spot and sent Brad Guzan the wrong way with a low shot into the bottom left corner for the 1-0 lead.
Atlanta's first shot on target came in the 33rd minute. Miranchuk found himself in space on the right side of the box and the midfielder turned and curled a left-footed strike towards the far post but Jeffrey Gal made the diving save.
Moments later, Guzan made a critical stop to deny Cuypers his first-half brace. After a free kick deflected into an open spot behind Atlanta's wall, Cuypers was first to the ball, but Guzan came off his line to cut down the angle and made a point-blank save to keep the deficit at one going into halftime.
Coming out of the break, Atlanta had the better of the play and produced a good chance in the 56th minute. Miranchuk played Miguel Almirón in behind the defense into the box where he turned and fired a left-footed attempt that was blocked. The rebound fell to Almirón's right foot and his shot drifted just past the far post.
Atlanta kept pushing for the equalizing goal. In the 77th minute, second-half substitute Saba Lobjanidze sent a dangerous cross from the end line to the middle of the box. Lennon collected the deflection at the six yard box and tried to score, but his shot was blocked by two Chicago defenders at the last moment. In the 80th minute, Chicago gifted Atlanta the 1-1 equalizer on an own goal. Miranchuk found himself open on the right wing and sent a dangerous cross into the box where Jack Elliott flicked the ball on and Sam Rogers headed it into his own goal.
Chicago found the game-winning goal in the 86th minute. Maren Haile-Selassie combined with Omari Glasgow down the right side into Atlanta's box. Glasgow then cut the ball back across goal to Rominigue Kouame who slotted his finish beyond Guzan into the right corner to give Chicago a 2-1 lead.
Atlanta had a chance to level the score in the final minute of stoppage time as Noah Cobb delivered a low cross from the right side that found Derrick Williams crashing the goal at the far post, however the defender's sliding attempt struck the post and went out of play.
Atlanta United (2-6-4, 10 points) returns to action Wednesday, May 14 when it travels to face Austin FC at Q2 Stadium.
