D.C. United turns Atlanta’s mistake into a season sweep

Starting Lineup

Atlanta United had already lost to D.C. United twice in its first MLS season. The third meeting came Wednesday night at RFK Stadium, with the Five Stripes unbeaten in six matches and trying to change the series.

D.C. had already shown it could make Atlanta uncomfortable. Ben Olsen’s team had beaten the Five Stripes in Atlanta and Washington, and one more result would give D.C. a season sweep over one of the league’s most dangerous attacking teams.

The Five Stripes had long stretches of the ball, pushed forward through Miguel Almirón, and spent most of the night trying to turn possession into clear chances. The night’s only goal came via a Michael Parkhurst own goal.

D.C. United won 1-0, swept Atlanta in all three regular-season meetings, and ended Atlanta’s six-match unbeaten run.

1st Half

Miguel Almirón carried Atlanta into the first chance, driving from midfield and sending a shot wide of Bill Hamid’s goal. Atlanta came back through Tito Villalba, whose shot forced Hamid into an early save.

Josef Martínez nearly turned one of those attacks into the opening goal. Atlanta moved the ball quickly enough to get him a touch in front of goal, but his shot angled wide.

The middle stretch of the half became start-stop, with three yellow cards in 12 minutes. Anton Walkes was booked in the 11th minute, Luciano Acosta followed in the 17th, and Deshorn Brown was shown yellow in the 23rd.

Lloyd Sam forced Brad Guzan into a save after the first half hour, and Luciano Acosta missed narrowly as D.C. found more of the ball in Atlanta’s half. Deshorn Brown then broke into enough space to make Guzan come off his line and block.

Guzan had to sprawl for another stop before halftime, and Jalen Robinson sent a header wide from a free kick.

The teams head to the locker rooms even.

2nd Half

D.C. changed its midfield at halftime, bringing Marcelo Sarvas on for Jared Jeffrey. Less than a minute after the restart, the game changed on one misplaced touch. Russell Canouse sent the ball into the box. Michael Parkhurst tried to deal with it in front of Brad Guzan, but turned it into his own net.

Marcelo Sarvas caught Tito Villalba in the 52nd minute, sending Villalba to the ground and bringing Ted Unkel to Video Review. Unkel stayed with the call on the field, which looked just, and Atlanta did not get the red-card decision it wanted.

Atlanta changed shape after the hour. Julian Gressel replaced Anton Walkes, and Brandon Vázquez came on for Tito Villalba. The Five Stripes were now playing with two strikers.

Jeff Larentowicz put one of Atlanta’s two shots on target, forcing Hamid into a save. Atlanta kept sending the ball back into D.C.’s half, but too many attacks ended in blocked shots or crowded touches around the box.

Patrick Mullins replaced Deshorn Brown in the 85th minute and was booked in stoppage time as D.C. used the final minutes to protect the lead.

The own goal was the deciding factor.

Closing Thoughts

Atlanta finished with 14 shots, eight corners, and 523 passes, but only put two shots on target. D.C. also took 14 shots, put five on frame, and forced Brad Guzan into five saves. Atlanta had more of the ball. Guzan had the harder night.

The first 30 minutes gave Atlanta enough to believe the game was there. Almirón found space, Villalba made Hamid work, and Martínez had a touch in front of goal. Ben Olsen’s team crowded Almirón, dealt with the wide service, and kept Atlanta from turning possession into clean shots. After the own goal, Atlanta still had possession, but too much of it moved wide before becoming hopeful crosses into the box. Atlanta weren’t able to do anything in the final 3rd.

Guzan kept the match close. But a goal didn’t appear to be coming, as Atlanta didn’t have the killer edge.

D.C. won all three encounters this season.