Dirty South Soccer - Atlanta United at Real Salt Lake stream: News, Preview, Lineups, HighlightsYour best source for Atlanta United news, analysis, rumors, and banter.2017-04-25T13:43:36-04:00http://www.dirtysouthsoccer.com/rss/stream/151204592017-04-25T13:43:36-04:002017-04-25T13:43:36-04:00Breaking Down the Breakdown: Rusnak makes it interesting
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<figcaption>ATLANTA UNITED</figcaption>
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<p>What happened on RSL’s goal vs. Atlanta United? </p> <p id="5Wnnj7">The talk surrounding <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/mls/teams/atlanta-united">Atlanta United</a> heading into their inaugural season with the immense attacking talent that the club’s technical staff had assembled. But, it’s been the team’s defensive capabilities that have really propelled them to being a competitive side from the outset of this season. For the majority of the first seven matches, the defense has been extremely solid and consistent, averaging an even one goal conceded per match so far. </p>
<p id="znnUiZ">The story was much of the same for the 3-1 win against <a href="https://www.rslsoapbox.com/">Real Salt Lake</a> on Saturday. In a very hectic, back-and-forth match, the defense flexed a few times but didn’t break until the 69th minute when <span>Albert Rusnak</span> collected a ball with space near the edge of the Atlanta United penalty area and struck a very nice low shot past Alec Kann. It was the team’s first major breakdown defensively of the night. By request, we’re going to look at the play step-by-step and figure out what went wrong for the Five Stripes. </p>
<p id="J43cc9">Ironically, the major point that begins the entire sequence is great defending by Atlanta United. Specifically by Michael Parkhurst. The veteran center back makes an excellent read on a pass from midfield to make a clean interception and start a counter-attack towards the RSL goal. The reason this is important to the Rusnak goal is because Parkhurst intercepts the ball so cleanly that he takes it in stride with space in front of him and makes a good decision to take it to try and get a good scoring chance. He takes a touch then dishes the ball to the playmaker, <span>Miguel Almiron,</span> and notices that there aren’t many numbers forward for Atlanta. He takes it upon himself to keep making a run to give Almiron an option or at least draw a defender or two out of position for the other attackers. </p>
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<p id="1yG5XX">Unfortunately, no one defending cares about Parkhurst’s run or really pays much attention to him. <span>Kyle Beckerman</span>, who has already noticed the danger and has dropped deep, keeps his eyes squarely on Almiron as Miggy decides to cut inside where he’s tackled by the U.S. international. Perhaps this is where the biggest mistake of the whole sequence occurs. Miggy has three options and takes the worst one. He could’ve played Parkhurst in on goal with the nice run he was making. Or he could’ve been better off noticing that the attacking advantage wasn’t there with RSL having sufficient numbers back and he only had Jones and Parkhurst in support. In hindsight, cutting inside was the worst thing he could’ve done. Instead, a quick turnover leaves the whole team shape out of wack and Parkhurst the furthest man up the field. </p>
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<p id="M8pyF5">Beckerman’s tackle perfectly finds <span>Demar Phillips</span> with space to run and this where the goal is made. <span>Tito Villalba</span> deserves praise here for noticing that numbers were pushed forward and that he should stay back in case such a turnover occurs. His decision pays off as he’s in position to stop the counter. Unfortunately, Phillips makes a nice/lucky play to nutmeg Tito to get past him. Tito races back to slow him down and is joined by <span>Carlos Carmona</span>. It’s important to remember here that Carmona is already carrying a yellow card from the first half. There’s no doubt in my mind that if that wasn’t the case he would’ve hacked Phillips down to stop the dangerous counter-attack late in the game. </p>
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<p id="7oDZ1l">Instead, Phillips makes another great move to elude Carmona and find <span>Joao Plata</span> open on the wing. With Carmona pulled out of position and unable to foul, <span>Luke Mulholland</span> is unmarked in the center of the field and is found by Plata. At this point, Larentowicz is covering the center back spot vacated by Parkhurst leaving both of your defensive midfielders out of position. <span>Yamil Asad</span> has sprinted all the way back from making a run into the box from his left wing spot to the middle of the field to try and fill the void, but misreads his positioning and misses on Mulholland as he turns on goal. The leaves <span>Greg Garza</span> out on the left trying to mark two players. Meanwhile, <span>Leandro Gonzalez Pirez</span> is left on an island. Neither decide to pressure the ball, opting to play it conservative and give Rusnak space at the top of the box instead of risking leaving someone open to go in on goal. </p>
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<p id="r920M1">When it becomes clear that Rusnak is going to have a shot on goal, both Pirez and Larentowicz go for the block. It’s another bit of misfortune as the shot finds its way through both players and gets past a screened Kann who sees two defenders going for it and suddenly sees the ball coming at him and past him. </p>
<h3 id="LuTPSC">Who to blame? </h3>
<p id="ZUJ3YQ">After every goal conceded that’s what everyone wants to know right? Who’s at fault? The answer to that question on this goal is complicated and multi-faceted. It may sound harsh, but Miguel Almiron is most at fault for the bad decision to try and take on two players at the top of the box instead of taking the other two safer options. </p>
<p id="hx3S7Z">Tito Villalba and Carlos Carmona are partly at fault for not fouling Phillips to break up the counter or stopping it completely with great defense. However, it must be said that luck was again involved during that run. </p>
<p id="s5z5Ke">Pirez and Garza make a conscious decision not to rush out to close down Rusnak with the danger becomes evident. Considering the score was 2-0 at the time, that was probably a good move. There wasn’t a need to abandon all last-minute defensive shape to prevent a long-range shot. Rusnak’s shot was just perfectly placed to avoid both block attempts by Pirez and Larentowicz. And the fact that it squeezes past two defenders makes it hard to see for Kann who is a tad late to react to the great shot. </p>
<p id="019sxG">This goal was a mixture of bad decision making on the attacking end, bad luck with Phillips’ run and Carmona being unable to foul, and a very talent player in Rusnak just putting a very well-placed shot on goal. </p>
<p id="lWtO5J">Thankfully this goal didn’t come back to haunt Atlanta United as they iced the match in stoppage time and got the three points. </p>
https://www.dirtysouthsoccer.com/2017/4/25/15422610/atlanta-united-defensive-analysis-real-salt-lake-goal-albert-rusnakRob Usry2017-04-24T10:30:02-04:002017-04-24T10:30:02-04:00Real Salt Lake 1-3 Atlanta United: Final Player Ratings
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<figcaption>ATLANTA UNITED</figcaption>
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<p>Your votes are in. </p> <p id="x405xM"><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/mls/teams/atlanta-united">Atlanta United</a> finally picked up a much-deserved win to finish off their four-match road trip. After several close calls, a strong performance in Sandy, Utah was enough to get the three points and come home with a total of five. It wasn’t the greatest of road trips from a results standpoint, but you’ll take it heading back home with a more manageable schedule ahead. </p>
<p id="1nkB7O">The 3-1 win saw Atlanta have three different goal scorers and some solid defensive performances, so the MOTM award was completely up for grabs. </p>
<h3 id="39kUPX">Man of the Match: <span>Miguel Almiron</span> </h3>
<p id="263W7C">Once again, the winner of the popular vote is Miggy. He recorded one official assist, but was a nuisance for <a href="https://www.rslsoapbox.com/">Real Salt Lake</a> to contend with in the midfield for the duration. Even in the altitude, he never slowed down and worked tirelessly on both sides of the ball to prove once again how valuable he is to Atlanta United. </p>
<p id="iT4lB8">Full Player Ratings </p>
<p id="xFFjOT">GK: <span>Alec Kann</span> - 7.1</p>
<p id="qUemUa">RB: <span>Tyrone Mears</span> - 6.9</p>
<p id="EdBdMz">CB: <span>Michael Parkhurst</span> - 7.2</p>
<p id="HY9QAp">CB: <span>Leandro Gonzalez Pirez</span> - 7.7</p>
<p id="ndedJq">LB: <span>Greg Garza</span> - 7.2</p>
<p id="aQHoJb">CM: <span>Jeff Larentowicz</span> - 7.0</p>
<p id="RysEpV">CM: <span>Carlos Carmona</span> - 6.8</p>
<p id="SzAyri">CAM: Miguel Almiron - 8.5 </p>
<p id="K7B3wI">RW: <span>Tito Villalba</span> - 7.8</p>
<p id="GNCoJq">ST: <span>Kenwyne Jones</span> - 6.1</p>
<p id="2mrHKT">LW: <span>Yamil Asad</span> - 7.3</p>
<p id="gSlgky">SUB: <span>Julian Gressel</span> - 6.4</p>
<p id="m6BkN0">SUB: <span>Brandon Vazquez</span> - 7.8 </p>
<p id="nRpaY5">SUB: <span>Kevin Kratz</span> - NR </p>
https://www.dirtysouthsoccer.com/2017/4/24/15403050/real-salt-lake-1-3-atlanta-united-final-player-ratingsRob Usry2017-04-23T09:05:01-04:002017-04-23T09:05:01-04:00Real Salt Lake 1-3 Atlanta United: What We Learned
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<figcaption>Jeff Swinger-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Atlanta United get back to winning ways to close a brutal 4-game road trip.</p> <p id="ZJ4wdW"><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/mls/teams/atlanta-united">Atlanta United</a> won for the first time in more than a month Saturday night in Salt Lake City, downing <a href="https://www.rslsoapbox.com/">Real Salt Lake</a> 3-1. Here’s what we learned:</p>
<h3 id="XRP8Gq"><strong>Atlanta’s energy still surprises opposition teams</strong></h3>
<p id="ddAkOg">For the second time this season, Atlanta has scored inside the first two minutes of the second half (and have scored twice more in the first four minutes of the first half). It may not be enough to be considered a trend by a mathematician, but they’re linked when you analyze how the goals were scored. In each instance, it’s simply a matter of the opposition defense looking a step off the pace and not physically and mentally switched on to deal with Atlanta’s hectic style of play. Saturday, it was the press that surprised Real Salt Lake defenders, who looked like they were still in warmups. They dwelled far too long on the ball, and United eventually forced a turnover deep in the RSL half leading to Atlanta’s second goal of the game.</p>
<h3 id="erLimi">
<strong>Tata Martino was right to drop </strong><span><strong>Julian Gressel</strong></span>
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<p id="0KIGxw">Julian Gressel started Saturday’s game from the bench for the first time this season, and it’s hard to argue after the fact that it wasn’t the right call by the manager. Not only is Gressel inexperienced and logging minutes at a rapid clip, but his quality has significantly regressed over the last few weeks. The combination of these things means he’s a perfect candidate to drop from the XI in an effort to get him to affect the game in a different way. And indeed, he did. Martino brought him on as a late game sub, and he was effective (even though it wasn’t pretty the entire time) in seeing the game out, culminating with his assist to <span>Brandon Vazquez</span>’s game-sealing goal. Not everything he tried came off. In fact, his touches in his first 5 minutes on the field were generally poor, but the thing about Gressel is that he’s tactically aware, which allows him to be in the right place at the right time. </p>
<h3 id="mJuDBF"><strong>Atlanta is in fine shape following brutal road stretch</strong></h3>
<p id="A4MO6D">Thank God it’s over. This 4-game road stretch that just concluded is about as bad of a 4-game period as you can have in this league. To take 5 points from that stretch — and to honestly say we were unlucky not to take more — is a huge boost for the team’s overall confidence.</p>
<p id="UkMRtm">Think about it this way… Imagine for work, no matter what you do, that you had business trips to Seattle, then Toronto, then home and back to Canada in Montreal (customs, ugh), and then back across the country to Utah. That would be a lot of traveling for an accountant, let alone a professional athlete. And it’s worth reminding that these guys are not allowed to fly on chartered jets, per league rules. To be able to compete at such a high level after those long trips, and all without your top goalscorer is a hell of an accomplishment.</p>
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<span><strong>Leandro Gonzalez Pirez</strong></span><strong> is an incredible talent</strong>
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<p id="6Rxp8d">Who would’ve thought that Atlanta would have one of the best CB pairings in MLS this season? With all the attention shifted to the attacking prospects in our ranks, it makes it even more impressive that Leandro Gonzalez Pirez is standing out as one of Atlanta’s best players. You don’t often categorize play from a central defender as “sensational,” but this is just that. Bravo.</p>
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<p lang="eu" dir="ltr">LEANDRO GONZALEZ PIREZ <a href="https://t.co/tjupQzgnuL">pic.twitter.com/tjupQzgnuL</a></p>— Joe Patrick (@japatrick200) <a href="https://twitter.com/japatrick200/status/855977949337714689">April 23, 2017</a>
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<h3 id="ATfzJZ"><strong>Brandon Vazquez made an impact in his debut</strong></h3>
<p id="CffBmq">Brandon Vazquez is an enigma that Atlanta United fans have heard much about, but are yet to see it with their own eyes. His time on the field Saturday night was brief, and hardly enough to draw any concrete conclusions from, but he deserves a shout out. Hell, the kid did everything right during his time on the field, which was especially good to see after he seemed to struggle adjusting to MLS competition in preseason. Hopefully he continues to challenge for playing time, which will be very hard to come by once Martinez is back in action in a few weeks.</p>
https://www.dirtysouthsoccer.com/2017/4/23/15397758/real-salt-lake-1-3-atlanta-united-what-we-learnedJoe Patrick2017-04-22T23:54:54-04:002017-04-22T23:54:54-04:00RSL 1-3 Atlanta: Finally, three points
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<figcaption>Jeff Swinger-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>It was an ugly last portion of the match for Atlanta, but it ends with three points.</p> <p id="hjSsvk">Not many teams go into Rio Tinto Stadium and win. <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/mls/teams/atlanta-united">Atlanta United</a> very nearly became one of many to depart Sandy with less than three points, but they did enough to end their four-game away stretch with a victory as they found themselves on the good end of a 3-1 scoreline. Atlanta ends the four-game trip away from Bobby Dodd with a win, two draws and a loss.</p>
<p id="q2OPjk">We hadn’t seen an early goal for Atlanta in recent games, but they broke through in the opening stages this evening. In the ninth minute, Miguel Almiron’s initial shot was stopped by <span>Nick Rimando</span>, but it found the foot of <span>Tito Villalba</span> - who knocked in a short rebound after his first attempt was turned aside. </p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">About that not scoring ugly goals thing... <a href="https://t.co/RI3kq0xy9x">pic.twitter.com/RI3kq0xy9x</a></p>— Dirty South Soccer (@DirtySouthSoc) <a href="https://twitter.com/DirtySouthSoc/status/855961798058680320">April 23, 2017</a>
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<p id="Xbrpc4">RSL didn’t get a great chance until a 33rd minute corner turned out to be a little nervy but was dealt with by <span>Alec Kann</span> in the end. They got another crack in the 39th after <span>Kyle Beckerman</span> won a free kick, but Albert Rusnak’s attempt from distance wasn’t far off but ultimately went wide. Things started to tip in RSL’s favor as the half progressed as a few sloppy moments for Atlanta put them on the back heel.</p>
<p id="KifYa4">But United helped themselves to a dream start coming out of the locker room. Rimando’s pass from the box to his man ahead was stolen nicely by Almiron. The Paraguyan then found <span>Yamil Asad</span> in the box with a nifty pass, catching Rimando well out of net and leading to a wide-open finish for Asad not even a minute into the 2nd. </p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">.<a href="https://twitter.com/YamilAsad11">@YamilAsad11</a> doubles the advantage for <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ATLUTD?src=hash">#ATLUTD</a> <a href="https://t.co/9BkAILvzvD">pic.twitter.com/9BkAILvzvD</a></p>— Atlanta United FC (@ATLUTD) <a href="https://twitter.com/ATLUTD/status/855976569935863808">April 23, 2017</a>
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<p id="F73vHe">The Five Stripes had a few more chances to go up 3-0 - namely a big strike from distance about a minute later and a near miss by Asad in the 58th - but it would be RSL getting on the board in the 69th minute as Rusnak found himself on the other end of a pretty buildup to make it a 2-1 contest. The nerves for Atlanta increased later as RSL were awarded a free kick in the 76th minute, but Joao Plata’s attempt sailed wide to the left.</p>
<p id="IDg4sL">It was a rough and tumble last few minutes as RSL were looking for the equalizing goal and had much of the possession in the latter stages of the second half, thanks to a bit of sloppy play by Atlanta. But after RSL were caught behind a break toward the end of the sixth minute of stoppage time, <span>Julian Gressel</span> hit fellow late-game sub <span>Brandon Vazquez</span> with a long pass, and Vazquez calmly drew backup keeper <span>Matt Van Oekel</span> off his line and converted for his first career goal.</p>
<p id="YUdymk">Tonight won’t go down in the books as a work of art by any stretch of the imagination. And Atlanta will look back and be disappointed that they didn’t come away with at least eight points on this trip. But they’ll be happy to head back home having come away with three at RSL and with what should be an amped up group of supporters waiting for them at BDS next Sunday when DC United come to town.</p>
https://www.dirtysouthsoccer.com/atlanta-united-fc/2017/4/22/15396918/atlanta-united-real-salt-lake-recap-final-score-3-1-yamil-asad-miguel-almiron-brandon-vazquezSydney Hunte2017-04-22T23:51:51-04:002017-04-22T23:51:51-04:00Watch: Brandon Vazquez scores first pro goal to clinch win vs. RSL
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<p id="sN17XC">Minutes after coming on as a sub, <span>Brandon Vazquez</span> was able to score his first goal in his debut. His perfectly timed goal helped to seal the deal against <a href="https://www.rslsoapbox.com/">Real Salt Lake</a> by giving <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/mls/teams/atlanta-united">Atlanta United</a> a 2 goal lead in stoppage time. Check the goal out below:</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Minutes after coming on for his <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ATLUTD?src=hash">#ATLUTD</a> debut, 18 year old Brandon Vazquez scores his 1st goal to seal the 3-1 win vs <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RSL?src=hash">#RSL</a>! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RSLvATL?src=hash">#RSLvATL</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/USYNT?src=hash">#USYNT</a> <a href="https://t.co/UrVOUVxIvf">pic.twitter.com/UrVOUVxIvf</a></p>— Jason Foster (@JogaBonitoUSA) <a href="https://twitter.com/JogaBonitoUSA/status/855987968842100736">April 23, 2017</a>
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<p id="dRW703">Glad to see Brandon Vazquez get an important goal in his debut for Atlanta United. At 18, he showed an impressive ability to stay calm and to finish. </p>
<p id="4tBNrS">Good work, Brandon! 3 points well earned for Atlanta United.</p>
https://www.dirtysouthsoccer.com/2017/4/22/15397414/watch-brandon-vazquez-scores-first-pro-goal-to-clinch-win-vs-rslKamari Wright2017-04-22T22:52:55-04:002017-04-22T22:52:55-04:00Watch: Yamil Asad doubles the lead versus Real Salt Lake
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<img alt="MLS: Atlanta United FC at Toronto FC" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/hlno5FEYDXOnROEXXqylfY_0vSs=/0x0:3600x2400/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/54400237/usa_today_10012579.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Yamil Asad smiling before taking the corner | Gerry Angus-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p id="IF1tfG">After gaining possession in <a href="https://www.rslsoapbox.com/">Real Salt Lake</a>’s half, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/mls/teams/atlanta-united">Atlanta United</a> was able to notch another goal. Almiron started the goal by dispossessing the Real Salt Lake defender, before passing it to <span>Yamil Asad</span>. </p>
<p id="D54K3G">After a quick move past another defender, Asad notched his second goal of the season on the empty net in the 46th minute. Check it out below:</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">.<a href="https://twitter.com/YamilAsad11">@YamilAsad11</a> doubles the advantage for <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ATLUTD?src=hash">#ATLUTD</a> <a href="https://t.co/9BkAILvzvD">pic.twitter.com/9BkAILvzvD</a></p>— Atlanta United FC (@ATLUTD) <a href="https://twitter.com/ATLUTD/status/855976569935863808">April 23, 2017</a>
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<p id="bTEpJr"> Great goal by Atlanta United to put them up 2-0 early in the second half. Good work by Almiron and Asad on the finish. Let’s see how United finishes up the match. Hoping for the 3 points. </p>
https://www.dirtysouthsoccer.com/2017/4/22/15397146/watch-yamil-asad-doubles-the-lead-versus-real-salt-lakeKamari Wright2017-04-22T21:57:59-04:002017-04-22T21:57:59-04:00WATCH: Tito Villalba opens scoring vs Real Salt Lake
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<img alt="MLS: Atlanta United FC at Toronto FC" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/qTKoWeOGgt6UYp6TdClw9puNojY=/0x0:3174x2116/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/54399865/usa_today_10002048.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Tito Villalba celebrates after scoring a goal | Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Woooo! </p> <p id="YJK5GF">The first goal, scored in the 10th minute by <span>Tito Villalba</span> was an ugly one for sure, that came from a couple rebounded shots on goal. The first shot was from <span>Miguel Almiron</span>, which was stopped by the goalkeeper. </p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">About that not scoring ugly goals thing... <a href="https://t.co/RI3kq0xy9x">pic.twitter.com/RI3kq0xy9x</a></p>— Dirty South Soccer (@DirtySouthSoc) <a href="https://twitter.com/DirtySouthSoc/status/855961798058680320">April 23, 2017</a>
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<p id="6nWC58">Villalba retrieved the rebound and was able to get another shot on goal, which was also stopped by the goalkeeper. Luckily, the 3rd time was a charm, as Tito Villalba was able to notch the first goal early in the match. This is Tito’s fourth goal of the season and it couldn’t have come at a better time. </p>
<p id="bObyEE">Nice to see United up front early! </p>
https://www.dirtysouthsoccer.com/2017/4/22/15396874/watch-tito-villalba-opens-scoring-vs-real-salt-lakeKamari Wright2017-04-22T20:36:13-04:002017-04-22T20:36:13-04:00Atlanta United’s lineup at Real Salt Lake
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<img alt="New York Red Bulls v Atlanta United FC" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/MaLnFZ-4_Whq6CVm45aL5MvIqwk=/0x50:2417x1661/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/54399411/648440020.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Mike Zarrilli/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>LGP escapes the grasp of the DisCo to return to the lineup. </p> <div id="QaYOPZ">
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Tonight's Starting XI at <a href="https://twitter.com/RealSaltLake">@RealSaltLake</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UniteAndConquer?src=hash">#UniteAndConquer</a> <a href="https://t.co/T0zyoD2D3r">pic.twitter.com/T0zyoD2D3r</a></p>— Atlanta United FC (@ATLUTD) <a href="https://twitter.com/ATLUTD/status/855942648024125440">April 23, 2017</a>
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<p id="jNRwzO"><span>Yamil Asad</span> returns from suspension to take his spot on the left wing. He replaces <span>Julian Gressel</span> who starts from the bench for the first time this season. <span>Kenwyne Jones</span> retains his spot in the starting lineup up top with <span>Tito Villalba</span> flanking on the other side. <span>Miguel Almiron</span> shifts to the middle. <span>Tyrone Mears</span> has returned from injury to take the right back spot back. </p>
https://www.dirtysouthsoccer.com/2017/4/22/15396424/atlanta-uniteds-lineup-at-real-salt-lakeRob Usry