Poor defensive errors caused NYCFC to lose to Atlanta United FC | OneFootball

On Saturday, New York City FC traveled down to the Peach State to play against Atlanta United FC. The Boys in Blue entered the match on a three-game unbeaten streak due to last week’s draw with the Columbus Crew. Additionally, they last lost to the Five Stripes in 2019. So, they entered this match with a ten-game unbeaten streak in all competitions against Atlanta.

NYCFC also faced their old head coach, Ronny Delia. The Norwegian, who led the Pigeons to their first MLS Cup Championship in 2021, took over as the head coach of Atlanta after a difficult 2024 season for the opposition.

Therefore, NYCFC wanted to come away with all three points. While the Pigeons and Atlanta tied six times during this unbeaten streak, there was no question that the Bronx team could earn all three points if they played well. Of course, the road woes and the inability to win away from home were always on supporters’ minds.

And they had every right to think about the issues on the road. NYCFC was up 3-1, but Atlanta United came from behind to win 4-3. Defensive errors ended the unbeaten streak and the Pigeons ultimately lost out on points despite the stronger attack on Saturday.

NYCFC falls to Atlanta 4-3

NYCFC and Atlanta both started the match looking for a goal. Early offensive efforts led to a few quick corner kicks and shots from the Eastern Conference teams. After splitting periods of possession, it was the visitors who struck first.

Alonso Martínez tried to put the ball past Brad Guzan in the 15th minute after coming in from the right side of the pitch. The goalkeeper made the save, but Hannes Wolf was there to send in the rebound. The offense was already a million times better compared to the woeful effort from last week, and of course, Martínez was a big part of the goal.

While Atlanta had a fair number of chances, the Boys in Blue dominated the first half. Defensively, they were sound, until a mistake in the 42nd minute led to a goal for the Georgian side.

During an offensive sequence, the home side drove numbers forward toward the goal. At first, it seemed like business as usual for NYCFC, but Thiago Martins slipped, providing room for Atlanta. Subsequently, Aleksei Miranchuk took his shot and slotted the ball past Matt Freese, leveling the score.

Thankfully, NYCFC was rewarded with a penalty kick right after halftime. A foul on Martínez in the box by Brooks Lennon saw the Pigeons earn a goal-scoring chance. As a result, the striker stepped up to take the kick and slammed the ball into the back of the net in the 48th minute.

NYCFC was not done though. A mistake by the Atlanta backline in the box a few minutes later saw the ball fall to Julián Fernández. With one touch, the winger sent the ball to Wolf who easily tapped the ball in for the third goal.

The goals continued, but this was when things took a turn in the match. Sadly, NYCFC was a victim of an own goal in the 62nd minute when Keaton Parks accidentally kicked the ball past Freese. This was somewhat concerning since this was the second own goal this year by the team.

Nevertheless, the teams went back and forth on the pitch, both threatening each other’s goalkeeper. But it was Atlanta who tied the match in the 75th minute again after Miguel Almirón headed the ball with power into the goal.

The momentum continued for the Five Stripes, and the errors continued to be costly for the Pigeons. Martins failed to clear the ball and thought Freese would collect it in the box. Instead, Emmanuel Latte Lath pounced in the 84th and stole the ball with one touch, sending his team ahead. Clearly, the strong NYCFC defense from the last few games, especially in Columbus, did not show up in Georgia.

Overall, this was a disaster of a match. The Bronx team had the 3-1 lead but costly mistakes led to the loss. Two of the home team’s goals were due to Martins, and Parks’ own goal did not help either.

Without these errors, NYCFC would have won. Instead, individual players are why the Pigeons head home with zero points.