Mr. Reliable is true to the nickname. On Sunday, Brooks Lennon started the match for Atlanta United, marking his 100th appearance in an MLS regular season match. Not only did Lennon become only the fifth player in club history to reach the feat, but he made the day even more memorable when he scored the second goal of the match for Atlanta United.
The fullback joins Brad Guzan, Josef Martínez, Miles Robinson and Jeff Larentowicz as the five Atlanta United players to make 100 appearances in MLS regular season play. Lennon becomes the third player on the active roster, joining Guzan and Robinson, to make the list.
Lennon's goal against the Union arrived in the 79th minute. Atlanta United sparked an attack that involved a combination between Caleb Wiley and Thiago Almada on the left side of Atlanta's attacking half. When the ball went to Miguel Berry inside the box, he knocked it back out to Almada. The midfielder switched the point of attack, pivoting the ball to Lennon on the right side. From a few steps outside the six-yard box, the fullback took a touch then buried it with his right foot to give the home team a two-goal lead.
The goal was Lennon's second on the season. Berry and Almada were credited with assists.
Lennon has proven to be a consistent player for the club. In his career in Atlanta, including Sunday's match, he's recorded six goals and 23 assists. Entering Sunday's match, Lennon has a passing accuracy of 87 percent, which currently is his career best. One of Lennon's seven assists on the season, which is second most on the squad behind only Almada, included Nick Firmino's equalizer and first career goal in the 2-2 draw with New York City FC on June 21.
The Arizona native joined the club in December 2019 and made his first appearance in 2020. This past offseason, he signed a contract extension through the 2025 MLS season with an option for 2026.
