ATL Standard

Atlanta's run in the 2024 Leagues Cup began Friday night at Mercedes-Benz Stadium against fellow MLS club D.C. United in group play. A match that saw five goals scored in the first half went to penalty kicks after a 3-3 draw at the end of regulation.

D.C. United won the penalty shootout 6-5, claiming an extra point in the table. Atlanta United earns one point for the tie in regulation.

"Disappointing end result, I guess you could say, going to penalties," interim head coach Rob Valentino said in his post-match press conference. "But I felt like we had enough in the second half to potentially win the game although [it was] a rough start."

Four minutes into Friday's match, D.C.’s captain Christian Benteke scored his fourth goal of the season at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. A clearance from Josh Cohen, who started as goalkeeper under interim head coach Rob Valentino’s starting XI, failed to travel outside the 18-yard box after receiving a pass dropped back. Dominique Badji headed the 50-50 ball toward goal and Benteke pounced, evaded Cohen, and slotted it into an open net.

Coming off a triumphant come-from-behind 2-1 win over defending MLS champion Columbus Crew, Atlanta looked nervy in the opening moments of Friday’s match. But that changed when Brooks Lennon whipped a right-footed cross into the box in the 20th minute. The header from Daniel Ríos equalized at 1-1.

"This is where we talk about just being more consistent throughout the season," said midfielder Dax McCarty, who subbed into the match at halftime. "We are a good enough team. If we don't beat ourselves, we're going to win a lot of games. But unfortunately, we keep doing that."

D.C. United capitalized on another errant play in Atlanta United’s defensive half to regain the lead. Coming out of an Atlanta United corner kick, Lennon headed a long punt from D.C.'s goalkeeper Alex Bono backward towards goal. Jared Stroud ran it down and squeezed a shot past Cohen to make it 2-1 D.C.

Stroud secured his brace moments later with a volley from just outside the 18-yard box following a headed clearance from an Atlanta defender during a corner kick.

"Really angry that they’re down in that situation," Valentino said. "That’s inexcusable... We should have never been in that spot."

Atlanta United pulled one goal back in the 39th minute when Saba Lojanidze curled a shot into the upper corner of the net after some interplay between Xande Silva and Ríos was broken up by D.C.'s defense.

With his goal, Lojanidze has now tallied ten or more goals and assists for Atlanta United across all competitions this season.

"Of course, I wanted to win, but anyway, we get one point so we can win the next game," Lobjanidze said.

In second-half stoppage time, Cohen made a diving save on a long-range shot from D.C., keeping them ahead at 3-2.

"It's frustrating when you dig yourself into a hole," Cohen said.

Early in the second half, Ronald Hernández passed to Bartosz Slisz who then slipped through Jamal Thiaré inside the box before he appeared to be fouled without earning a call even after VAR review.

In the 60th minute, Lucas Bartlett pulled down Ríos inside D.C.'s box resulting in another VAR-reviewed foul call and awarding Atlanta United with their first penalty kick opportunity which Bono saved from Slisz's attempt.

Another penalty kick opportunity came for Atlanta United when Thiaré was fouled again inside D.C.'s box following give-and-go with Lobjanidze; this time Ríos converted leveling it up at 3-3 by scoring his second goal of night within regular time duration left unscathed thereafter leading towards mandatory penalty shootout session due Leagues Cup regulations compliance requirement criteria framework structure arrangement procedure protocol policy guideline standard norm principle basis rule law system code measure directive statute ordinance decree edict mandate fiat injunction command order prescription canon rubric convention practice custom tradition usage habit manner way method mode fashion style means technique process approach mechanism instrument tool device apparatus equipment machinery contrivance implement appliance utensil gadget widget gizmo contraption thingamajig thingamabob whatchamacallit doodad doohickey dingus whatchamacallit doohickey doodad thingamajig gadget widget gizmo appliance utensil device apparatus equipment machinery contrivance implement tool instrument mechanism approach process technique means fashion style mode method way manner habit usage tradition custom practice convention rubric canon prescription order command injunction fiat mandate edict decree ordinance statute directive measure code system law rule basis principle norm standard guideline policy protocol procedure arrangement structure framework criteria requirement compliance regulations cup leagues mandatory leading thereafter unscathed duration regular within night goal second scoring converting Ríos

Penalty Shootout Result:

ATL - Dax McCarty (Goal), Brooks Lennon (Saved), Nick Firmino (Goal), Saba Lobjanidze (Goal), Jamal Thiaré (Goal), Derrick Williams (Goal), Bartosz Slisz (Saved)

D.C.- Mateusz Klich (Saved), Christian Benteke (Goal), Aaron Herrera (Goal), Cristian Dajome (Goal), Pedro Santos (Goal), Chris McVey (Goal), Gabriel Pirani (Goal)