Atlanta United’s Daniel Rios scored 20 seconds into the match, but visiting New York City FC used a second-half comeback to forge a 2-2 draw Wednesday night.
Saba Lobjanidze, who assisted on the first goal, also scored for Atlanta (6-11-7, 25 points), which remains winless in July even though its three-match losing skid ended.
Monsef Bakrar and Talles Magno scored in the second half for NYCFC, which overcame a 2-0 halftime deficit.
NYCFC (11-9-4, 37 points) has a three-match winless streak following its second tie of the season with Atlanta.
NYCFC goalkeeper Matthew Freese made a save of Jamal Thiare’s header in the 88th minute, with the ball heading toward the bottom left of the goal. Atlanta players reacted initially as if the ball had crossed the goal line.
Freese finished with seven saves.
Rios scored from the box after the ball conveniently came his way amid Atlanta’s dazzling display of ball control in the opening seconds. It was a sterling beginning in Atlanta’s first MLS home match after three straight road outings.
Rios has six goals this season, with five of them coming in the last eight matches.
It got better when Lobjanidze, who also notched his sixth goal of the year, padded the lead in the 38th minute. He converted on the rebound from Xande Silva’s shot.
Bakrar got NYCFC going in the 65th minute with his third goal of the season and his first in a road match. He took advantage of Atlanta’s defensive lapse as goalkeeper Brad Guzan was drawn far out of the net.
Then came Mango’s first goal of the season. He converted a penalty kick in the 82nd minute after Atlanta’s Brooks Lennon was called for a foul.
Mango had entered as a substitute in the 63rd minute.
–Field Level Media
