Atlanta United rescued a point at home in the last breath of the match on Saturday vs Seattle Sounders, with an incredible goal by Alexey Miranchuk who recorded his fourth goal of the season. Atlanta showed a different facet than in previous matches and was able to dominate the game during several moments, especially during the first half. Miguel Almirón and Ronald Hernández pushed the tempo of the match since the very beginning through the right wing, pressing high and creating chances that allowed Atlanta to set the stage in the first 45 minutes. Seattle gained control of the match in the second half and went up in the scoresheet towards the end of the match, but Miranchuk had one more thing planned.
What happened: Atlanta came out knocking on Seattle's door pretty quick with plenty of energy and connection in Seattle's half, during the first five minutes. It was also the first time in four months that Ronny Deila had Derrick Williams and Stian Gregersen back together in the lineup pairing up as the team's centerbacks.
Following a recovered ball by Pedro Amador that touched each one of Atlanta United's defenders, Hernández sent a magestically placed through long ball that found Almirón running behind Seattle's defense. It was something the Paraguayan had constantly been asking from his defenders for a few matches now, long balls to the opposing team's half without hesitation.
After Almirón secured possession with two of Seattle's players marking him, he connected with Emmanuel Latte Lath who immediately pushed the ball higher to Luke Brennan. The 20-year-old sent a timely placed pass to Latte Lath who first timed a cross which deflected on Seattle's Yéimar Gómez, subtly entering beating his goalkeeper for Atlanta's opening goal.
The match progressed and despite Atlanta dominating the remainder of the first half, the team's seven shots never went on goal. Seattle continued to resisting Atlanta's attacks and managed to keep the score 1-0 for the first 45 minutes.
The visiting team, however, came into the second half looking to level the match and following a dead ball in the middle of the pitch, Pedro de la Vega ran towards Brad Guzan's goal with only Derrick Williams between them. Williams, properly worried about the other two Seattle players to his left, tried to block the shot as the Argentinean attacker entered the box, but de la Vega's well-placed right-footed shot near the first post fell into the net.
During the rest of the second half, both teams tried to break the deadlock but Seattle turned around the possession and were able to create more chances than the home team. For Atlanta, Almirón was a constant menace for Seattle's backline and despite not being able to connect well with his teammates, he was Atlanta's busiest player and was elected chosen as the Man of the Match as fans voted him for the Golden Spike of Excellence.
One of the highlights of the match was Enea Mihaj's debut for the 5-Stripes subbing in for Gregersen in the 66th minute. Already deep into aggregate time, Brooks Lennon came into the match at the 90'+3' subbing in for Ronald Hernández making his 250th Regular Season appearance in MLS.
Two minutes later, however, Osaze de Rosario scored Seattle's second goal with a header from the center of the box, following a cross from Atlanta's right wing. Even though the clock read 90'+5', there were still three minutes left of aggregate time.
Already past the 90'+8', Almirón executed a quick throw-in and later yielded the ball to Miranchuk who in a last desperate attempt to get anything out of the match took a perfect and powerful left-footed shot from outside the box which entered Seattle's goal in the far top corner.
Key stat: Shots on goal turnaround. XXXX.
Milestones:
-- Brooks Lennon recorded his 250th career MLS Regular Season match (Atlanta United + Real Salt Lake).
-- Enea Mihaj made his debut in MLS for Atlanta United.
-- Miguel Almirón registered his 36th assist in all competitions for Atlanta United.
