Fafa Picault scored the winning goal in the 82nd minute, and Atlanta United overcame an early deficit to defeat the visiting New York Red Bulls 2-1 on Saturday evening.
Despite conceding first in the sixth minute, Atlanta (4-12-3, 15 points) pulled level through Tristan Muyumba’s equalizer in the 69th minute, then took the lead through Picault to walk off the pitch a winner in its first home match since May 9.
Atlanta United also snapped a seven-match winless streak (0-5-2).
The Red Bulls (7-8-4, 25 points) lost for the third time in four matches.
In its first home match in 98 days, Atlanta appeared destined for a third consecutive loss after falling behind in the sixth minute.
But Muyumba leveled the match in the 69th minute with his third goal of the season and second in as many matches. After receiving a pass from Alexey Miranchuk from just outside the box, he gathered himself and laced the ball past a diving Ethan Horvath to make it a 1-1 contest.
About 13 minutes later, Picault delivered the match winner, as his header from a Miguel Almiron cross into the left side of the penalty area deflected off Horvath and into the net for his third goal of the season.
The Red Bulls found the opener in the sixth minute through Emil Forsberg’s third goal of the season. After Atlanta failed to clear the ball from its own end, Adri Mehmeti played an inch-perfect pass through to Forsberg, who drilled it past Atlanta goalkeeper Lucas Hoyos for a 1-0 lead.
Horvath ended the night with one save. Hoyos made a pair of saves on the three New York shots he faced.
Adrian Gill made his MLS debut for Atlanta. Almiron’s assist was his fourth of the season.
Atlanta’s win was its first since defeating Montreal 3-1 on May 2. It improved to 3-5-1 at home.
–Field Level Media
