CHATTANOOGA, TN – Atlanta United’s 2025 season started with a preseason match towards Chattanooga FC on Davenport Area at Finley Stadium. The yardage markings from the newest College of Tennessee at Chattanooga Mocs recreation have been nonetheless seen on the sector when the match kicked off at 3 p.m. Whether or not the pitch was picture-perfect or not, Chattanooga got here to play and gained 2-1.
The Ronny Deila period started with a little bit of disappointment.
Kids performed within the grass above and behind the aim, whereas different followers watched from the mezzanine stage of the stadium. Not enjoying indoors on a day like this – the excessive was 49 levels, the low 29 degrees- made for an attention-grabbing expertise for Atlanta United supporters, who’re used to the indoors of Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
On a brisk Saturday afternoon within the “Scenic Metropolis”, the 5 Stripes obtained again into motion for the primary time since shedding within the Main League Soccer (MLS) playoffs in Orlando. The match started slowly like most preseason matches do. Chattanooga FC, which has performed Atlanta United nicely prior to now, almost scored the sport’s first aim of the match within the twenty ninth minute earlier than Atlanta goalkeeper Brad Guzan picked up his first save of the match. There was one other critical try at breaking the match open when a Chattanooga shot try flew nicely over Guzan’s head a couple of minutes later. On the Atlanta facet of the ledger, ahead Jamal Thiare was inches away from a aim of his personal when his header missed simply earlier than halftime.
Throughout the break, Guzan spoke to the media about what he had seen in the course of the first half. Solely enjoying a half of soccer, Guzan mentioned there have been a few performs within the again that he felt would most likely go unnoticed however he felt have been good indicators. Backup goalkeeper Josh Cohen began the second half and Guzan mentioned he wished to see all of his teammates do nicely.
“As a bunch, we wish to construct on the final two weeks, we wish to construct on the rules of what we now have been speaking about,” Guzan mentioned. “For him, it’s no completely different than the fellows in entrance of him.”
The crew exchanged objectives early within the second half when Tyrik Wynn related a header off a Saba Lobjanidze nook kick. Minutes later Chattanooga tied the match at one all when Jesus Ibarra scored on a solo run downfield.
Chattanooga, little question impressed by the game-tying aim, gained a 2-1 benefit within the 87th minute. There was nonetheless time for a game-tying aim for Atlanta as Edwin Mosquera and Efrain Morales every had attractiveness on the Chattanooga aim that have been saved.
Youthful Atlanta gamers like Dominik Chong Qui, a defender for Atlanta United 2, obtained an opportunity to play with the regulars. Gamers like Wynn, Qui, Luke Brennan, Ajay Fortune, and Noah Cobb, to call just a few, would be the way forward for the membership.
Up subsequent for Atlanta is a gathering with the Birmingham Legion on Feb. 1 at 4:30 p.m.
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