Late goal lifts NYCFC past Atlanta United in playoff race
A stoppage-time strike by Bénie Traoré secured a 2-1 win for New York City FC, moving the club within a single point of the final Eastern Conference playoff spot.
By Emmanuel Faure ·
New York City FC defeated Atlanta United 1-2 on Wednesday night at Citi Field, a result that extended the host's bid for a postseason berth.
The victory marks the first win for NYCFC in six attempts at the shared home of the Major League Baseball Mets. The team had not recorded a win since its 2-0 victory over Real Salt Lake on September 12.
Nicolás Fernández opened the scoring in the 70th minute with a free-kick strike from 28 yards out. This goal represented his 16th of the season and his first in seven matches.
Breel Embolo equalized for Atlanta United in the 88th minute with a header, his fourth goal in his first 10 MLS appearances. The match ended when Bénie Traoré scored in the fifth minute of stoppage time, his second goal in 17 appearances this season.
Goalkeeper Matt Freese made five saves for New York, while Atlanta’s Lucas Hoyos stopped four shots. The teams played to a 2-2 draw in September, and this result sees NYCFC improve to a 5-6-5 record at home while Atlanta United falls to 4-7-4 on the road.
New York City FC now sits one point behind the New York Red Bulls for the ninth and final Eastern Conference playoff position with two games remaining. Atlanta United hosts Toronto FC on Sunday, and New York City FC hosts CF Montreal on Saturday.
Source: KCNC-TV
