An inspired second half performance saw Atlanta United recover from a goal down to draw 1-1 with San Diego FC Saturday afternoon. After falling behind in the first 45, the 5-Stripes looked aggressive as ever as the match carried on. They produced nearly double the expected goals as the visiting side on the night, but the finishing touch was another story. It was Miguel Almirón's strike from the penalty spot that earned Atlanta United a point against the Western Conference leaders.
Quote from head coach Ronny Deila: "I'm happy with the performance. Discipline, attitude ... it shows that they are really committed to push to get everything we can out of these last games."
What happened: A tentative first 10 minutes was slowed even further when Stian Gregersen stayed down after drawing a free kick and yellow card. Enea Mihaj began warming up on the touchline, but the Norwegian reentered the match after being evaluated by training staff off the pitch.
San Diego played a very high line in possession, allowing quick Atlanta United breaks when they won the ball back. Pedro Amador had a good look at a cross to an open Jamal Thiaré in those first 10 minutes, but the ball was a tad too high.
The 5-Stripes didn't sit much deeper and pressed quickly when San Diego got moving backwards. They won the ball just outside the visitors' box in the 17th minute and earned a free kick shortly after. Alexey Miranchuk put a ball in, but a header sent it away.
Atlanta had the only shot of the first 20 minutes, with neither side able to carve out a real look at goal. But then things started to ramp up quickly. Miguel Almirón ran onto a well-weighted over the top through ball, rounded the keeper and scored in the 26th minute. The linesman's flag went up for offsides, though, a close call on the replay.
Hirving Lozano nearly got on the scorer's sheet in the 29th minute, countering quickly and skipping past defenders to strike the ball just wide of the left post. Three minutes later, San Diego did find the opener, as Lozano cut into the box and squared a ball across for Anders Dreyer. It was a simple strike to finish, with Hibbert unable to rotate over quick enough.
Responding quickly was Miranchuk, who put in a cross that found Thiaré's head in the 34th minute. His hit was pure, but CJ Dos Santos made the stop in the net.
The 5-Stripes kept breaking lines, and Thiaré got in behind in the 40th minute, only to be brought down by Manu Duah in the penalty area. The head official Ricardo Montero Araya didn't blow his whistle, and Video Assistant Referee agreed, no penalty — another close call for an Atlanta team that was fighting for a first.
Almirón nearly had it in the 44th after an awkward punch from Dos Santos fell to him. He flicked a header at the net, but it was cleared away. At half, just one goal separated two sides who were both growing into the game by the minute.
Thiaré got active right out of the break, as his neat first touch got him through on goal in the 47th . His strike was quick, but Dos Santos made the stop to his left.
The ball stayed in Atlanta's attacking third for most of the first 15 minutes of the first half, and a Saba Lobjanidze shot forced a corner in the 56th minute. After a soft clearance, Almirón chested the ball down and hit a volley that rocked the crossbar before getting away.
Stian Gregersen had a moment of brilliance to give Atlanta United a chance to level the score in the 59th minute. He won the ball in the middle of the park, roved forward and played Thiaré through on goal. The forward was brought down once again in the box, this time by Dos Santos, and a penalty was given.
Miguel Almirón, playing in his 100th career match with the 5-Stripes, delivered a sweetly-struck shot into the bottom left corner to tie the match at 1-1 in the 61st.
The breakaways didn't stop for the 5-Stripes. Thiaré had multiple runs through on goal, but nothing came from it. In the 75th minute, head coach Ronny Deila looked for a winner by bringing on three substitutes, Emmanuel Latte Lath, Luke Brennan and Brooks Lennon.
Hibbert was seriously called into action in the 78th minute when San Deigo got a headed attempt at goal. The ball was looping towards the top right corner, but his dive athletic, parrying the ball away from danger.
Six minutes of added time provided some window for the 5-Stripes to find a winner, but the best look came and went, as Almirón had a shot inside the box get stuffed at the source.
Key stat: Two in a row for a familiar duo. Jamal Thiaré and Miguel Almirón combined for a goal for the second consecutive match. Thiaré drew a penalty against Columbus Crew, and Almirón slotted it home. That exact same sequence took place a week later against San Diego Saturday afternoon. This time around, it was a leveling goal that ultimately earned a point for the 5-Stripes.
Standouts: Ronald Hernández had plenty to do handling Hirving Lozano on right side of Atlanta United's defense — but he stood tall. His positioning was key, always ending up on the right side of a dangerous cross to clear the lines.
Miguel Almirón was making history no matter what, but he added a goal for good measure. It was his second consecutive match with a goal from a penalty kick, and his fourth goal in the 2025 regular season. Aside from the strike, Miggy was lively all throughout the match, progressing the ball at any given chance on the left side of the attack.
Milestones:
- Miguel Almirón made his 100th appearance in all competitions for Atlanta United. Read more about his showing here.
- Emmanuel Latte Lath returned from injury, playing 14 minutes plus change off the bench.
Up next: Atlanta United hits the road for the third-to-last time this season, this time heading up to New England for a matchup with the Revolution. The match will kick off at 7:30 p.m. ET Saturday, Sept. 27.
