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After nine (!) months since the first quarterfinal Concacaf Champions League leg between Atlanta United and Club América, the two sides stepped onto the same field and finished the tie. Atlanta, having gone down by three goals in the first leg back in March (yes, that was this year), was always going to have a mountain to climb in this second leg. After the year this team had, it’s fair to say Atlanta United was not expected to move on to the next round. Let’s get into it.
Lineups
Eric Lopez finally made an appearance for the first team!
#ATLUTD's Starting XI vs Club América pic.twitter.com/7I8noh5VGF
— Atlanta United FC (@ATLUTD) December 17, 2020
| Nuestro XI vs Atlanta United:
— Club América (@ClubAmerica) December 17, 2020
13 | @yosoy8a
3 | @Jorgiesanchez1
4 | @Seba4Caceres
5 | Santiago Cáseres
7 | @leosuarez_96
8 | @alonsoescoboza
9 | @rogermartinezt9
17 | @Cordovar97
20 | @richardsanchez
24 | @federicovinas98
32 | @ramonjr335 pic.twitter.com/bcAwptwDnu
Highlights
Atlanta created a handful of chances in the opening 25 minutes. Escobar had a decent chance that you can watch in GIF form.
.@francoeescobar tried to put in in the back post, but @yosoy8a denies@ATLUTD | @ClubAmerica | #SCCL2020 pic.twitter.com/a5cF5UXuAS
— Scotiabank Concacaf Champions League (@TheChampions) December 17, 2020
Atlanta’s most impressive chance came through some intelligent link up play between Barco and debutante Erik Lopez, but America keeper Ochoa made a strong save to maintain Club America’s 3-0 aggregate lead.
Nice try by Esequiel Barco! ⚽️
— Scotiabank Concacaf Champions League (@TheChampions) December 17, 2020
Another good save by @yosoy8a! @ATLUTD | @ClubAmerica | #SCCL2020 pic.twitter.com/tgupz9TVh9
The second half was pretty tame until the 68th minute when all hell broke loose.
SO CLOSE pic.twitter.com/yFsgmOICMI
— Atlanta United FC (@ATLUTD) December 17, 2020
Anyway.
Jack Gurr, who signed a short-term contract with the first team, made his debut when he came on for Erik Lopez in the 75th minute. Congratulations!
Jackson Conway, who recently signed a first team contract, made his first team debut after a solid year with the USL team. Congratulations!
Minutes after writing that ^, Jackson Conway headed home George Bello’s cross to give Atlanta United fans something to cheer about. A goal made in Atlanta!
On his debut!
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) December 17, 2020
19-year-old @jacksonconway36 pulls one back for @ATLUTD. #SCCL2020 pic.twitter.com/tbcoNmC1hK
Chills.
The game was winding down until Moreno earned himself a red in the last few minutes of the match. Not great, Bob.
Takeaways
- I think it’s fair to say nobody was expecting Atlanta to perform like that. Atlanta’s last match was five weeks ago against the newly crowned MLS Cup champions, and to somehow pull out a performance like that deserves some plaudits. The goals were lacking until Conway’s late goal, but it was a surprising performance nonetheless (Please note this only applies to the first half).
- Erik Lopez impressed me on his debut. At only 18 years old and with the all but confirmed arrival of Gabriel Heinze, it’ll be exciting to see what the young Paraguayan can bring to the team over the next few years.
- That Jackson Conway/George Bello combination for Atlanta’s goal was pretty special.
- This season is over. Rejoice!
Injury Report
- Barco exited the game around the 60th minute after seemingly picking up a knock.
Barco off perhaps with an injury. They were examining his left knee on the field and obviously aren't going to take any chances. The only logical thing to do.
— Joe Patrick (@japatrick200) December 17, 2020
Tweet of the Match
There’s something is suspicious about this game. #ATLUTD pic.twitter.com/u8X23PDwo7
— Alex (@Alex_Ky87) December 17, 2020
What’s Next?
That’s a wrap on the 2020 season! Thanks for sticking with Dirty South Soccer during what has been a less than ideal season. Make sure to keep checking out the site as more details regarding the managerial situation are revealed, etc. etc. Mouths of the South will be back tomorrow. I'm sure Five Stripe Final will be releasing stuff as well. See you next season, whenever that may be.