Recap:
Going into this game, Head Coach Lesesne recognized the Black & Red had an advantage over the Five Stripes back line, and his name was Christian Benteke. The mountain that is the Belgian Striker dominated the smaller Atlanta defenders, as DC made sure to provide him numerous passes in the air. It worked as Christian Benteke scored his second hat trick of the season to lead DC over Atlanta. As dominating as he was, Benteke could have had more, just missing on a bicycle kick, and having a couple strong shots saved.
First Half:
As the team took the field, the only change from the last starting lineup was Ku-DiPietro returning to the starting 11, replacing Jacob Murrell. Other than that, the squad and formation were the same as recent weeks which have seen DC play some very good soccer. One thing is a clear improvement over the 2023 season, and that’s how DC United starts on the front foot and begins games with energy and purpose. The Black & Red were quick to win loose balls, seemed to win every 50/50 ball, and had a control of the game.
Despite this, Atlanta United took the early lead with an Almada penalty kick in the 16th minute. Atlanta had the penalty because McVey was ruled to have fouled Giakoumakis in the box. It was not completely against the run of play, but DC definitely had been creating the better chances.
DC United responded to the setback three minutes later with a strong defensive play, which saw them pick the ball up in their third of the field and quickly move it back up the field into the attack. Their passing was both quick and sharp, and they easily moved the ball with a combination of long and short passes which bypassed the Atlanta defenders. The Black & Red actually tied the game when Benteke got inside an Atlantic defender and put in a point-blank header in the 19th minute off a perfect cross from Jerod Stroud.
DC United had another great chance of going ahead when Benteke led a break. He drove at the defenders who were on their heels. At the exact right moment, Benteke fed Ted KDP with a perfect pass. KDP one time shot the ball, and only a great save by Brad Guzan prevented DC from taking the lead at that moment.
The Black & Red continued to apply pressure on Atlanta. They disrupted any rhythm that the Five Stripes tried to create, and quickly move into the attack any time they won the ball. In the 44th minute, Stroud received the ball on the right side from Aaron Herrera and made a crossing pass. It struck an Atlanta defender and ricocheted back to him. Without hesitation Stroud placed a line-drive pass with his left foot across the goalmouth at head level, Christian Benteke’s head level, and the Belgian Striker easily deflected it into the goal.
The halftime whistle saw Atlanta United one, DC United two.
Second Half:
The second half started with two substitutions for DC, as Head Coach Lesesne wanted to manage minutes and keep legs fresh for Wednesday’s game against the Red Bulls. Off came Ted Ki-DiPietro and Christian Dajome, and on came Jacob Murrell and Conor Antley.
The half did not get off to the best of starts, as Atlanta was able to draw even at two goals apiece in the 48th minute when a cross by Atlanta winger Lobjanidze deflected off Matti Peltola and into the goal. Atlanta’s attack started when the Five Stripes created a turnover in DC’s defensive third, after a pass went to Jackson Hopkins who was already surrounded by three Atlanta players.
This would have been a frustrating repetition of the Union game had it not been for DC United’s obvious resilience as they quickly forced Atlanta Goalkeeper Guzaninto a save less than a minute later when the Black & Red created a turnover near the top of Atlanta United’s penalty box.
The Black & Red kept up the pressure, and DC United was unlucky four minutes later when Jacob Murrell sprinted unmarked into the penalty box before his cross 10 yards from goal came off too weak to reach Benteke. A few moments later Benteke would get another chance to score when he went for a bicycle kick, just missing the net. Then Jackson Hopkins and Mateusz Klich would both miss by inches from just outside the box.
It would be in the 55th minute that Benteke would scored United’s third goal with a header from a corner kick to give the Black & Red a 3-2 lead.
DC kept up their pressure, and if not for several great saves by Brad Guzan, the final margin would have been even more. At the same time, save for a free kick that Thiago Almada picked up just inches from the penalty box. With a player of his skill he’s always dangerous on the free kick. The United players stood tall though, and Almada’s shot didn’t make it past the line of defenders. That would be the last real opportunity Atlanta would get.
The only other item of note was when Jackson Hopkins was subbed off for Garrison Tubbs. Not only was this Tubb’s MLS debut, it was in front of family in his hometown, against the team whose academy he came through. Tubbs is ostensible a Center Back, but in this game he played a Center Defensive Midfielder and held his own helping to protect the back line.
DC United are now 2-0-1 in their past three games, and this win was their first in six road matches this season. It also ended a six-match (0-5-1) winless streak against Atlanta dating back to the 2021 season. It’s a good boost going into their next game hosting the Energy Drink bunch on Wednesday.
Full Time
Atlanta United FC 2 - DC United 3
Man of the Match: Christian Benteke
There’s no surprise that this week it’s Christian Benteke. He was a monster on the pitch. Benteke bossed whomever Atlanta tried to defend him with. Benteke scored all three of his goals on headers, and now has 11 goals in 10 matches played.
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