A pair of first half goals from Ezequiel Barco and Emerson Hyndman led Atlanta United to a 2-1 victory over Nashville SC in the club’s 2020 MLS Regular Season opener. Laurence Wyke, who signed a short-term loan agreement earlier in the day on Saturday, came on as a substitute at halftime for Franco Escobar, and helped keep a second-half clean sheet to preserve the victory.
Frank de Boer’s lineup, to kickoff the 25th Major League Soccer season was similar to Tuesday nights Concacaf Champions League second leg against Motagua. The full XI: Brad Guzan, Franco Escobar, Anton Walkes, Fernando Meza, Brooks Lennon, Eric Remedi, Emerson Hyndman, Pity MartÃnez, Ezequiel Barco, Pity MartÃnez, Josef Martinez.
Barco opened the scoring in the ninth minute after solid build-up play from Escobar and Josef Martinez. From his own half, Escobar dribbled around one defender and charged into the midfield where he combined with Martinez. Escobar’s ensuing pass was for Barco, who dummied, allowing the ball to go through Eric Miller. Barco then dribbled near the edge of the penalty area before unleashing a right-footed shot into the right corner.
Nashville equalized in the 28th minute from a set piece. Hany Mukhtar sent a free kick into the box that Walker Zimmerman played down and ultimately put into the back of the net for the club’s first-ever goal.
It didn’t take long for Atlanta to re-gain the lead, answering less than 10 minutes later in the 37th minute from Hyndman. Barco’s original corner kick was cleared back near the corner flag, where Barco again crossed into the box. The clearance barely reached the edge of the penalty area where Hyndman played down and ferociously struck into upper the right corner.
Atlanta went into the locker room up a goal, but needed to replace Escobar, who was injured toward the end of the half. Josef Martinez also left during the second half with an injury, but Atlanta held out behind Brad Guzan, who made three saves.
Atlanta (1-0-0, 3 points) returns to action Saturday, March 7 for its home opener at Mercedes-Benz Stadium against FC Cincinnati (7:00 p.m., FOX Sports Southeast, Sports Radio 92-9 The Game.
MATCH INFO
Atlanta United 2, Nashville SC 1
Nissan Stadium
Nashville, Tennessee
STATS
Shots: 14-6 Nashville
Shots on Target: 4-2 Nashville
Corner kicks: 5-4 Nashville
Fouls committed: 12-11 Atlanta
Clearances: 20-18 Atlanta
Offside: 3-0 Nashville
Possession: 55-45 Atlanta
Passing Accuracy: 83-82 Atlanta
SCORING SUMMARY
ATL – Ezequiel Barco (Franco Escobar) 9’ [HIGHLIGHT]
NSH – Walker Zimmerman 28’ [HIGHLIGHT]
ATL – Emerson Hyndman 37’ [HIGHLIGHT]
DISCIPLINARY SUMMARY
ATL – Eric Remedi (yellow) 76’
NSH – Joe Willis (yellow) 90+3’
ATLANTA UNITED STARTING LINEUP
Brad Guzan; Anton Walkes, Fernando Meza, Franco Escobar (Laurence Wyke – HT); Jake Mulraney, Eric Remedi, Emerson Hyndman, Brooks Lennon; Pity Martinez (Jeff Larentowicz – 81’), Ezequiel Barco, Josef Martinez (Adam Jahn – 69’)
Substitutes not used: Alec Kann, George Campbell, Mo Adams, Luiz Fernando.
NASHVILLE SC STARTING LINEUP
Joe Willis; Daniel Lovitz, Dave Romney, Walker Zimmerman, Eric Miller; Dax McCarty ©, Hany Mukhtar, Anibal Godoy; Randall Leal (Daniel Rios – 87’), Dominique Badji (Abu Danladi – 79’), David Accam (Alan Winn – 65’).
Substitutes not used: Adrian Zendejas, Jalil Anibaba, Brayan Beckeles, Derrick Jones.
ATTENDANCE
59,069
OFFICIALS
Drew Fischer (referee), Kathryn Nesbitt (assistant), Logan Brown (assistant), Rosendo Mendoza (fourth), Jon Freemon (VAR)
TEAM NOTES
- Laurence Wyke, who signed a short-term loan agreement earlier in the day, made his First Team debut. Wyke is contracted with Atlanta United 2.
- Franco Escobar left the game at halftime with a right leg injury.
- Josef Martinez left the game in the 69th minute with a right leg injury.
- Fernando Meza led the team with 91.4 percent passing (47-of-53).
- Pity Martinez won a team-high four fouls.
- Anton Walke had a team-high five clearances.
- Ezequiel Barco scored his ninth career MLS goal
- Emerson Hyndman scored his second career MLS goal
