Atlanta United falls 2-1 against FC Dallas

BALKAN PRESS | 04/20/2019 | SOCCER | No Comments

ATLANTA (April 20, 2019) — Atlanta United lost 2-1 against FC Dallas Saturday at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in front of 43,351 fans. Josef Martinez scored his second goal of the season, converting a penalty in second-half stoppage time, but the club was unable to find an equalizer despite posting a season-high in shot attempts (22).

Jesus Ferreira started the scoring for FC Dallas in the sixth minute. Michael Barrios launched a counterattack by himself, making a 40-yard run from midfield before sending a cross in from the right side that Ferreira calmly finished. Atlanta fared well throughout the remainder of the half and thought it had an equalizer from Ezequiel Barco in the 26th minute, but his shot rang off the post.

Atlanta piled on more pressure in the second half by dominating possession that resulted in a flurry of chances. Barco again hit the cross bar from a free kick in the 61st minute. Then Martinez was denied in the 79th minute with a diving stop from FC Dallas goalkeeper Jose Luis Gonzalez, who made seven saves on the night. Shortly after that, in the 84th minute, FC Dallas doubled the lead from Bryan Acosta, who finished off another counterattack for a 2-0 lead.

Brek Shea drew a penalty in second-half stoppage time with the decision coming from video review. Martinez stepped up and put his attempt into the right corner for his second goal of the season.

Atlanta United (1-3-2, 5 points) returns to action Saturday, April 27 against Colorado Rapids at Mercedes-Benz Stadium (6:00 p.m. EST, FOX Sports Southeast, Sports Radio 92-9 The Game).