Atlanta United's Playoff Hopes End in Late Defeat to NYCFC

Starting Lineup

Teams can only focus on the teams they’re facing. Win those, and let the chips fall where they may. On Wednesday evening, the chips fell against Atlanta.

Atlanta traveled to Citi Field knowing its playoff hopes were hanging by a thread. Much like the recent match against Inter Miami, Atlanta were the better team throughout the opening half. They pressed New York City FC into mistakes, moved the ball well, and created several good scoring opportunities. But by the 35th minute, NYCFC were beginning to find their way back into the match. Atlanta needed a goal before halftime to cement control. It never came.

NYCFC continued gaining ground in the second half. Atlanta struggled to respond. Breel Embolo’s late equalizer briefly revived their hopes, but Bénie Traoré’s spectacular winner in stoppage gave NYCFC a 2-1 victory.

Atlanta’s playoff hopes were officially over. With 30 points and two matches remaining, another disappointing season will end without postseason soccer.

1st Half

New York City FC sent the opening kickoff long, but Atlanta quickly recovered possession and began moving forward. Tomás Jacob pushed high to strip the ball from an NYCFC player, while Miguel Almirón worked across the pitch looking for openings. Júnior Alonso even tried his luck from nearly 40 yards, sending a shot over the bar.

Matt Edwards managed to keep the ball in play along the endline, and Atlanta worked it back to Giuliano Galoppo in the box. He fired a powerful left-footed shot that went just wide, drawing a collective groan from the home crowd.

Atlanta was pressing every ball, forcing NYCFC into hurried passes and giveaways in dangerous areas. Almirón was giving the NYCFC defense trouble at the other end, drawing two defenders whenever he received the ball. He managed to break free and send a dangerous cross curling along the six-yard box, but no one was there to finish it.

Breel Embolo fought off two defenders before spotting Alexey Miranchuk running up behind him. Embolo lunged forward to get a foot on the ball, pushing it into Miranchuk’s path. Miranchuk tried to steady himself for a shot, but the ball bounced awkwardly between his feet, and he couldn’t get it into position. It was Atlanta’s best chance so far, and Miranchuk should have gotten a shot away.

Almirón played the ball wide to Jacob, who sent a cross towards an open Galoppo in the box. The delivery was slightly behind him, forcing Galoppo to reach back for the header. He managed to get his head on it but sent the ball over the bar.

Atlanta appeared to have its breakthrough following a corner. Almirón played the ball along the ground to Miranchuk outside the box. Alexey turned and curled a high ball towards Jacob at the far post, who headed it back across goal to Embolo. Breel directed his header towards the center of the goal, and despite getting a hand to it, Matt Freese couldn’t keep it out. However, the celebration was short-lived. Four Atlanta players had been caught off when Miranchuk delivered the cross. The goal was overturned, and Atlanta’s early dominance was still unrewarded.

Almirón continued giving Tayvon Gray trouble along the wing. Already on a yellow for pulling Miguel back earlier, Gray was beaten again when Almirón slipped the ball between his legs near the corner. Gray caught him with a hand to the face, giving Atlanta a free kick. Tristan Muyumba stepped up and curled a powerful shot towards goal, forcing Matt Freese into an excellent save at the near post.

Minutes later, Atlanta put together another excellent attacking move. Galoppo carried the ball down the right wing and into the corner before sending a low cross towards Embolo. Breel feinted, letting the ball roll past him to Muyumba, who struck a hard, low shot towards the right corner. Freese managed to get a hand to it, pushing the ball onto the post and denying Atlanta another excellent chance.

NYCFC began finding more space as halftime approached. Jacob continued reading the play well, cutting out a long ball intended for Nicolás Fernández before he could threaten. But New York was getting forward more often and beginning to put Atlanta’s defense under pressure.

Fernández played a quick one-two with Hannes Wolf near the endline before cutting inside and shooting from close range. The ball deflected off Alonso, but Hoyos reacted quickly, sticking out his foot to keep it out of the net. Watching live, it looked like Hoyos knew little about the shot. But the replay showed just how quickly he reacted, deliberately getting his foot in front of the ball.

NYCFC continued sending balls over Atlanta’s back line in stoppage, but the passes were not connecting with their intended targets. It was clear that New York’s danger was growing. Atlanta made one final push before halftime, with Embolo fighting his way into the box against two defenders. He went down under pressure, but the referee waved away Atlanta’s appeals for a penalty.

Atlanta went into halftime frustrated. They had been the better team for much of the half, but their missed chances had allowed NYCFC to get back into the game with the score still 0-0.

2nd Half

Neither team made changes at halftime. NYCFC picked up where they left off, pushing forward more frequently and putting Atlanta under pressure. Atlanta continued moving the ball well, but New York was growing more confident and beginning to challenge Atlanta’s control of the match.

Edwards found Embolo near the corner with a throw-in. Embolo made a nifty turn to get free and played the ball back to Almirón near the top of the box. Almirón had a good opportunity to score but sent his shot wide.

The game was becoming increasingly physical, with frequent fouls interrupting play.

NYCFC broke forward and worked the ball across to an open player on the left side of the box. He had a clear opportunity to put New York ahead, but couldn’t control the pass and sent his shot wide. Atlanta was fortunate to escape without conceding.

Galoppo received the ball near the top of the box and squared his hips to shoot, but an NYCFC defender headed the ball clear. Shortly afterward, Alonso won possession in NYCFC’s half and passed to Galoppo near the arc. This time, Galoppo had time and space to pick his shot, but got it all wrong, sending the ball well over the bar.

NYCFC broke forward again, sending the ball up for an open Hannes Wolf on the left. Jacob managed to break up the attack, but the loose ball fell to another NYCFC player. He fired a shot towards the right corner, the ball curling away just wide of the post.

Muyumba came sliding in with a hard challenge on Fernández just outside the box, knocking his feet out from under him. Referee Tori Penso showed Muyumba yellow, giving NYCFC a free kick in a dangerous position directly in front of goal. Fernández stepped up and unleashed an absolute laser towards the right corner. The ball ripped through Atlanta’s defensive wall, leaving Hoyos rooted to his spot.

Atlanta nearly answered immediately when Almirón saw Jacob making a run into the box. Freese rushed off his line and blocked Jacob’s attempt, with the two colliding in front of goal. The ball pinballed around the box, but Atlanta couldn’t get another shot away.

Martino made his first substitution in the 74th minute, bringing on Fafà Picault for Muyumba. NYCFC were growing more dangerous as the second half wore on, steadily taking control and creating better chances. Atlanta was struggling to respond, and adjustments were needed for quite some time.

Embolo continued providing some fabulous hold-up play, keeping Atlanta’s attack moving. At the other end, NYCFC worked the ball around the box before Malachi Jones fired a shot that forced Hoyos into a tremendous reaction save. Seconds later, Nicolás Fernández got another shot away from inside the box, Hoyos reacted quickly again to keep Atlanta in the game.

From an early age, players are taught to “play to the whistle.” Amaro appeared to be fouled in midfield, but Penso didn’t blow for the foul. Galoppo stopped defending and threw his hands up in protest while NYCFC continued their attack. It was a frustrating lapse in concentration.

Edwards read a pass towards Malachi Jones on the right wing but couldn’t get there in time. Jones slipped past him, Edwards responded by bringing Jones down from behind. Edwards remained on the ground holding his face before finally getting up to receive his yellow. Martino replaced him with Elías Báez a few minutes later.

Then, out of nowhere, Picault fired a shot across goal that struck the right post. The ball bounced back over Freese bouncing towards Embolo, who was in the right place at the right time. He reacted instantly, heading the rebound into the net to bring Atlanta level in the 88th minute. Embolo had worked tirelessly all night, and finally got his reward.

Atlanta pushed forward looking for a winner. Miranchuk held up the ball and passed to Galoppo, who helped work it towards Almirón. Almirón dribbled into the box but sent his shot straight at Freese. Shortly afterward, Almirón fought to win and keep possession along the right wing. He cut back twice to shake off his marks before passing to Jacob, whose cross sailed over everyone and out of the box.

At the other end, NYCFC broke forward into a dangerous position, but Amaro stepped in to break up the attack. Moments later, he stopped another NYCFC breakaway.

Then, five minutes into the seven minutes of stoppage, NYCFC struck again. Kevin O’Toole found substitute Bénie Traoré about 25 yards from goal. Traoré shifted the ball to his right and unleashed a beautiful, curling shot towards the top-right corner. The ball seemed to hang in the air forever before dipping into the net. Hoyos leaped desperately towards it, but there was no stopping that shot.

Atlanta had one last chance when Picault chipped the ball into the box for Embolo. Embolo got his head to it, but Freese smothered the shot.

Penso blew her whistle, officially ending Atlanta’s playoff hopes with a 2-1 defeat.

Closing Thoughts

Atlanta finished with 19 shots to NYCFC’s 11, both teams putting six on target. Atlanta had the advantage in xG, 2.30 to 1.41. Those numbers reflect the opportunities Atlanta created, particularly during its strong first half, but also the team’s continued inability to convert. It’s a problem that has followed the club throughout the season, and Wednesday’s defeat was another painful example.

There were encouraging individual performances. Embolo worked tirelessly up front, holding possession and giving his teammates opportunities to get forward. Hoyos made several outstanding saves, while Jacob and Alonso were generally strong defensively. Amaro also put in a good shift, finding space in midfield and breaking up several dangerous attacks.

Atlanta’s individual performances are covered here.

Player Impressions: ATLUTD 1-2 NYCFC

Hoyos and Embolo delivered, but poor decisions, wasted chances, and limited substitutions left Atlanta with another frustrating defeat.

Read More ›

Atlanta continues to struggle when opponents adjust. NYCFC gradually took control in the second half, and Martino appeared reluctant to change his approach. He made just two substitutions, leaving several tired starters on the field while New York introduced fresh legs. Martino may have limited confidence in his bench, but Atlanta cannot continue expecting the same players to maintain their intensity for an entire match.

Matt Edwards acknowledged how frustrating the season has become, particularly when performances haven’t translated into results.

Martino was unusually blunt when asked what message he had for Atlanta’s supporters.

Atlanta has two matches remaining. Its final home game against Toronto FC is Sunday afternoon. The playoff race is over, and the focus should now turn towards evaluating the players who could contribute in both of 2027’s seasons. Martino has an opportunity to further evaluate those who have spent much of the year watching from the bench.

Edwards offered perhaps the most appropriate assessment of what Atlanta needs going forward.

Atlanta has spent much of the season talking about promising performances and improvement. With another year ending without playoff soccer, those words have become increasingly difficult to accept.