The Black-and-Red picked up their first road win of the season against league debutants Atlanta United FC on Sunday afternoon. United's 3-1 victory capped off a three-match road trip and marked the first time they scored three goals in an away match since October 2014.
United had to stave off a flurry of Atlanta attacks in the opening minutes of the match, but huge saves by Bill Hamid prevented Gerardo "Tata" Martino's side from getting on the board just moments after the opening whistle.
While Atlanta did net a goal in the 9th minute, the Black-and-Red remained focused and opportunistic. The midfield began pressing into the attacking third more, and as soon as Luciano Acosta was able to get on the ball, good things happened.
Lamar Neagle leveled the score for United in the 25th minute after taking an aggressive jump on a loose ball. Neagle capitalized on an Atlanta turnover and tried to play the ball across the six-yard box to a teammate, but the ball caromed off defender Michael Parkhurst and ended up in the back of the net.
United then stole the lead in the 37th minute thanks to more Acosta craftiness. The Argentine carried the ball himself up the right wing and through the gut of Atlanta's defense, then fired a left-footed shot from the top of the box to give the Black-and-Red a 2-1 advantage entering halftime. The goal was Acosta's third of the season.
Following the break, the Black-and-Red continued to put pressure on Atlanta's back line. Acosta nearly netted his second goal of the match after making an impressive run into the box and dancing around Atlanta's defenders.
While Acosta was unable to bag his second, he played provider for forward Sébastien Le Toux, who gave United a 3-1 lead in the 56th minute. After Atlanta turned the ball over at midfield, Le Toux made a run toward goal and got in behind Atlanta's back line, where he received a beautiful through-ball rom Acosta. Le Toux finished past Alec Kann for his second goal in as many games.
The goal was also Le Toux's 59th career MLS goal, which put him in sole possession of seventh among active players.
Atlanta's desperation to get back in the match led to a chippy final ten minutes, but Hamid ended the match just as he started it—making clutch saves when they mattered most.
United's 3-1 victory secured the Black-and-Red's first three road points of the season. Acosta was named Man of the Match for his standout performance that included one goal and one assist.
The Black-and-Red will meet Atlanta twice more during the regular season—on June 21 and August 23 at RFK. Ben Olsen's side returns to action this Saturday, May 6, at home against the Montreal Impact.
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