Match recap: Late longshot dooms Atlanta United in loss to New York City

A late Breel Embolo goal gave them life, but two wondergoals from the hosts sealed the result as Atlanta United fell 2-1 to New York City FC. The 5-Stripes were the ones pushing for a defining late goal to keep their hopes at a playoff spot alive, but the hosts flipped the script at the last moment, preserving their own postseason push. 

What happened

Júnior Alonso ripped a strike from a distance for Atlanta United's first shot of the match in the 2nd minute. It soared over and into the stands at Citi Field, but it didn't end a bright early spell from the 5-Stripes. Miguel Almirón crossed and found Giuliano Galoppo in the 4th minute, and his first-time volley wasn't far outside the left post. 

In the 14th minute, Alexey Miranchuk was denied a one-on-one chance by an important Matt Freese save. Breel Embolo held up the play perfectly, dishing it to Miranchuk with just the keeper to beat, but his shot wasn't placed well enough. 

The 5-Stripes were all over NYCFC early, quick to pick up loose balls in the midfield and sequence passes together to move up the pitch. 

Breel Embolo appeared to have opened the scoring in the 22nd minute with his third goal in four matches from a header, assisted by another header from Júnior Alonso. But the Paraguayan defender was just offside before receiving the cross from Miranchuk, and video review ruled the goal back. 

Tristan Muyumba whipped in a tight-angled free kick that forced a save from Freese in the 29th minute, and the Frenchman added to the pressure in the 32nd. Freese made another important stop on a low-driven longshot, pushing the ball off the post.

Lucas Hoyos was called into action in the 42nd minute and made a leg save to deny Nicolás Fernández. It was the first real look at goal of the day for NYCFC and an impressive moment for Hoyos to step in without much rhythm and make a stop. 

Though their grip on the match loosened as it went on, Atlanta United had nearly all of the production to brag about at the halftime break. The 5-Stripes produced 1.1 expected goals to New York City's 0.3, and results around the league were favoring them staying alive another night should they pull out a win. 

Embolo and Almirón combined for the first chance of the second half, as the striker slipped down the endline and fed the No. 10, whose shot bent right of the post. 

NYCFC nearly took the lead in the 58th minute, breaking away on a three-on-three counterattack. Andres Perea ultimately had the chance, but his shot was saved by Hoyos. The bouncing rebound nearly missed two other New York City attackers who were streaking towards the net.

Fernández scored an unbelievable free kick in the 70th minute, placed in the bottom right corner from nearly 30 yards out. 

Atlanta United weren't shaken for a second, immediately producing a chance through Tomás Jacob. The right back got a look on goal from a tight angle, and Freese met him there. The ball bobbled to the middle of the box where it was quickly cleared. 

Hoyos made another kick save in the 77th minute and another stop seconds later, standing strong to keep the 5-Stripes in the match. 

Fafa Picault was bright as a substitute, whipping a ball to the center of the box in the 83rd minute that narrowly missed Embolo. In the 88th minute, Picault ripped a longshot that clanked off the post and into the path of the striker, who tapped in a header for 1-1. It gave Atlanta United a lifeline to an imperative three points.

The 5-Stripes weren't able to conjure up one more late goal, and instead it was Bénie Traoré producing a wondergoal to lift New York City to a 2-1 victory. He struck a right-footed shot in the 95th minute that rose up into the right corner of the net, a shocking strike that downed Atlanta United. With the final whistle, the visiting 5-Stripes were officially eliminated from playoff contention.

Up next

Atlanta United returns home one last time in the 2026 regular season to face Toronto FC Sunday, Nov. 1. The 4:30 p.m. ET kickoff will coincide with the club's Fan Appreciation Night.