ATLANTA — Atlanta United defeated New England Revolution 1-0 Saturday at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in front of 66,114 fans and advanced to the Eastern Conference Semifinals.
Franco Escobar scored the game-winning goal in the second half for his fifth career goal with Atlanta and his third in the playoffs. Atlanta will host the winner of the Philadelphia Union vs. New York Red Bulls match on Thursday, Oct. 24.
Atlanta produced a flurry of chances in the first half beginning in the third minute when Josef Martinez was played in on goal down the left side. He attempted a shot from a tight angle but missed just wide of the post and hit the side netting.
Darlington Nagbe forced a diving save from Matt Turner in the 10th minute with a low shot from 25 yards out, and Martinez nearly converted a chance in the 33rd when he chested down a corner kick inside the box and ripped a left-footed shot, but saw it go just over the cross bar.
Atlanta United found the breakthrough goal in 70th minute. Tito Villalba sent in a cross from the left side that was headed out of the box and fell for Nagbe. He quickly found Ezequiel Barco to his right, where the Argentine slipped a through ball down the right side for Escobar where the wingback made a run behind the New England backline. Escobar one-timed a blistering shot into the upper right corner for his third career playoff goal.
Atlanta was forced to finish the match with 10 men as Michael Parkhurst was injured in second-half stoppage time. Fighting off a series of New England attacks down the stretch, Atlanta held on for its fifth all-time clean sheet in the playoffs behind Brad Guzan’s six-save performance, his single-match playoff career high with the club.
Atlanta will host the winner of the Philadelphia vs. New York Red Bulls match on Thursday, Oct. 24 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium (8:00 p.m. EST, ESPN2, Sports Radio 92-9 The Game).
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