D.C. United (9-6-8, 35 points) lost to Atlanta United (10-8-3, 36 points) 2-0 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia. Luciano Acosta returned to the starting lineup after serving his two-game ban from a red card against Dallas on July 4th. Bill Hamid also returned to the starting 11 after not playing in United’s 4-1 victory over FC Cincinnati.
Atlanta’s Josef Martinez put the pressure on in the seventh minute of the match he fired a shot low forcing Hamid to make a diving save in the early stages of the match, one of four saves for Hamid on the night. Just five minutes later, Martinez received a pass from Darlington Nagbe on the counter-attack. Martinez cut back to his left foot and fire another powerful shot low on target. Hamid showed his reflex's and dropped down pushing the ball away to safety for his second save of the contest.
In the 33rd minute, Acosta played a long-ball to a charging Paul Arriola who went in one-on-one with Brad Guzan. Guzan made a desperation save on Arriola’s shot to keep the game tied. The two teams went into the locker room at the half, all even at 0-0. After halftime, Atlanta was awarded a penalty kick in the 71st minute of the match after D.C. United midfielder, Russell Canouse was called for a foul on Martinez inside D.C. United’s box. Atlanta’s star striker stepped up and misplaced his spot-kick after an odd run-up to keep Hamid’s PK record perfect this season, all three PKs that Hamid has faced so far in 2019 have not been converted.
The game looked to be headed for a 0-0 draw until Nagbe found room on the right-wing and clipped a ball to the middle of the box and Pity Martinez finished the cross off to give Atlanta their late lead in the 89th minute. Atlanta doubled their lead in the 92nd minute, Martinez found himself open in the middle of the pitch and lifted the ball over Hamid to give Atlanta the 2-0 victory.
D.C. United will play their next match on Wednesday, July 24th at Audi Field in a friendly match against Olympique de Marseille for tickets click here. Their next MLS match will take place on Saturday, July 27th at Toyota Park against the Chicago Fire.
