ATLANTA, Ga. — Atlanta United grabbed a fourth-minute lead Saturday night but gave away two second-half goals on its own mistakes and lost 3-2 to the Chicago Fire at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, a costly result for a club still chasing a playoff spot.
Miguel Almirón carried the ball from midfield to the edge of the box and slipped it to Tomás Jacob, who drove a shot past goalkeeper Chris Brady for the earliest goal Atlanta has scored all season. The assist was Almirón’s eighth, the most on the team this year.
Chicago leveled in the 30th minute when Anton Salétros struck a loose ball after a corner and it squeezed through a crowd and past Lucas Hoyos. Atlanta thought it had gone back in front before halftime, but a Breel Embolo finish was wiped out for offside.
The second half turned on errors. Moments after the break, substitute Anzor Mekvabishvili picked off a short pass out of the back and scored his first MLS goal for a 2-1 Fire lead. In the 57th minute, Hoyos handled a back pass, giving Chicago an indirect free kick inside the 6-yard box, and Philip Zinckernagel blasted it into the roof of the net for 3-1.
Embolo pulled one back with a header off a cross from Elías Báez, then broke in alone a few minutes later but sent his shot wide. Atlanta pushed through five minutes of stoppage time without finding an equalizer.
The loss leaves Atlanta United at 8-17-6 with 30 points, while Chicago improved to 15-10-6 and earned its first league win in Atlanta. Atlanta plays at New York City FC on Wednesday, Oct. 28, at Citi Field in Queens, needing points to keep its postseason hopes alive.
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