ATLANTA, Ga. — Atlanta United finally gave its home crowd a win Sunday, beating Toronto FC 3-1 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium to snap a six-match winless run in Atlanta and knock the visitors out of playoff contention.
Toronto arrived needing all three points. Coach Robin Fraser kept his lineup unchanged from a midweek victory at home against D.C. United, and anything short of a win would end the Canadian club’s season. Atlanta took control early and never let the game tighten.
Miguel Almiron struck first after 22 minutes, swapping passes with Alexey Miranchuk and then sliding a shot between the legs of Toronto keeper Luka Gavran. Almiron has now scored seven times this year, and the setup was No. 8 on the season for Miranchuk.
Almiron was involved again just before the break. Given space along the left side, he drove at the end line and cut the ball back to an unmarked Cooper Sanchez, who finished first time from near the penalty spot in the 40th minute for a 2-0 lead.
The third goal came in the 51st minute. Almiron tried his luck from distance, the shot rang off the post, and Miranchuk was there to knock in the rebound.
Toronto managed only three shots on target. Lewis Morgan, on as a substitute, beat the Atlanta keeper with a volley late in the second half, about 11 minutes from full time, but the visitors never threatened an equalizer.
Fraser said afterward that early-season injuries cost his team, and that conceding first had been a habit all year. Toronto drops to 9-12-12 and will miss the postseason for a sixth year in a row.
Atlanta improves to 9-18-6 with the result. Its next match is Saturday on the road in New York.
Section: More Atlanta GA sports news
Atlanta sports business profiles
Filed under: Atlanta GA Sports News
