Match recap: Atlanta United falls to counterattack goals of Nashville SC

Atlanta United held tight against the first place team in the Eastern Conference, but two late counterattacking goals lifted the visitors. The 5-Stripes fell 2-0 to Nashville SC in the Southern Showdown in a physical battle where the home side had its moments. 

What happened

Patience was the name of the game through the first 10 minutes of the match for Atlanta United. Nashville SC registered the first chance of the match in the 14th minute when Andy Najar got a close range shot from a tight angle off. Lucas Hoyos made the save to keep things level. 

A bit of lovely interchange earned Atlanta its first shot on target in the 21st minute. Stian Gregersen played a through ball over the top to Emmanuel Latte Lath, who laid off for Fortune, who found Cooper Sanchez. The 18-year-old's shot was saved and away for a corner kick. 

Aside from those two chances, the first 35 minutes were very tame, as both teams favored the safer passes and possession. In the 38th, Nashville flicked on a header from a corner and saw an open net, but Tomás Jacob was there to clear the ball away. Three minutes later, Hany Mukhtar broke away on the counterattack. The former MLS MVP got the ball into a great spot to score, but Hoyos stood tall and made the one-on-one save. 

At half, it was Nashville who had the better of the chances, but the flow of the match was quite even.

Gregersen's through balls were dangerous all night, as he picked out Jay Fortune in the 56th minute. The midfielder took a great first touch to line up a strike, but his shot was saved. 

Nashville took the lead in the 61st minute, breaking with numbers and turning in the first goal of the night. Cristian Espinoza went to the bottom left corner of the goal with a precise finish. 

Atlanta United pressed on, bringing on Fafa Picault, Pedro Amador and Saba Lobjanidze for some fresh legs. Alexey Miranchuk had a chance through on goal after Latte Lath laid the ball off in the 77th minute, but his shot was right at the keeper. The captain took a harsh tackle on the shot, one that resembled more American Football technique, but the officials didn't take a further look. 

The 5-Stripes showed real ambition in the final 10 minutes including added time, earning corners and pushing Nashville deep into their own box. But a counter from the visitors put the game away in the 91st minute. With just one defender running back, Mukhtar assisted Shakur Mohammed to put the match away.

Standouts

• Lucas Hoyos put in perhaps his best performance in an Atlanta United shirt, even in a losing effort. It was the keeper's first 6-save match in MLS and his first in league play since June 2023 with Newell's Old Boys.

Milestones

• Jay Fortune made his first MLS start back from a foot injury that sidelined him for the back half of the 2025 season.

Next up

Atlanta United turns around quickly to another home fixture, this one a Wednesday night game against New England Revolution. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. in another midweek matchup.