Atlanta United Fights Back to Earn Draw at Mercedes-Benz Stadium
It wasn’t the win Atlanta United fans wanted, but it was a performance they can be proud of. In front of their home crowd at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, the 5-Stripes battled Western Conference leaders San Diego FC to a 1-1 draw on Saturday afternoon.
The story of the match? Miguel Almirón, in his 100th appearance for Atlanta United, calmly slotted home a second-half penalty to cancel out Anders Dreyer’s first-half strike. It marked the second week in a row that Jamal Thiaré drew a foul in the box and Almirón converted — a budding combination that’s keeping Atlanta competitive down the stretch.
First Half: San Diego Strikes First
The opening half was cagey, with both teams pressing aggressively but struggling to generate clear chances.
- 26’ — Almirón thought he’d scored on a brilliant run behind the defense, but the flag went up for offsides.
- 32’ — San Diego’s Hirving “Chucky” Lozano burst into space and found Anders Dreyer, who tapped in the opener for a 1-0 lead.
- 44’ — Almirón nearly equalized after a poor clearance, but his header was denied at the line.
Despite the deficit, Atlanta stayed aggressive, pressing high and looking to exploit San Diego’s back line.
Second Half: Miggy Makes It 100 in Style
If the first half belonged to San Diego, the second belonged to the 5-Stripes.
- 47’ — Jamal Thiaré broke free on goal, forcing a big save from CJ Dos Santos.
- 56’ — Almirón smashed a volley off the crossbar, nearly leveling the score.
- 59’ — Stian Gregersen surged forward, played in Thiaré, who was brought down by Dos Santos. This time, the referee pointed to the spot.
- 61’ — Almirón buried the penalty, sending the stadium into celebration and marking his 100th career Atlanta United match with a goal.
Atlanta pressed for a winner, with Saba Lobjanidze, Thiaré, and substitute Emmanuel Latte Lath all threatening, but the final touch never came.
Key Stat: Same Combo, Same Result
For the second straight match, Thiaré won a penalty and Almirón converted. Last week against Columbus, it cut into a historic deficit. This week, it earned a point against the Western leaders.
That growing chemistry could be crucial as Atlanta looks to finish the season strong.
Standout Performances
- Miguel Almirón — Scored his fourth MLS goal of 2025 and was lively all match, progressing the ball and creating chances.
- Ronald Hernández — Matched up against Lozano all day and stood his ground, cutting out multiple dangerous crosses.
- Jayden Hibbert — Made a big save in the 78th minute to preserve the draw.
Milestones & Notes
- Miguel Almirón made his 100th appearance in all competitions for Atlanta United.
- Emmanuel Latte Lath returned from injury, logging 14 minutes off the bench.
- Atlanta finished with nearly double the expected goals (xG) compared to San Diego (2.1 to 1.1).
Alt text: Miguel Almirón celebrates after scoring a penalty kick for Atlanta United against San Diego FC.
What This Means
While the 5-Stripes are out of playoff contention, the draw showed promise:
- The defense, shaky in weeks past, held its shape against one of MLS’s most dangerous attacks.
- Almirón continues to prove why he’s a franchise cornerstone.
- Atlanta is showing urgency and discipline, two things head coach Ronny Deila praised after the match.
“I’m happy with the performance. Discipline, attitude … it shows that they are really committed to push to get everything we can out of these last games.” — Ronny Deila
Up Next
Atlanta United hits the road to face the New England Revolution on Saturday, Sept. 27 at 7:30 p.m. ET (MLS Season Pass, Apple TV).
Final Word
It wasn’t three points, but it was progress. Against the best expansion team MLS has ever seen, Atlanta United showed fight, creativity, and resilience.
What did you think of Almirón’s milestone moment? Should Atlanta build the attack around him next season? Drop your thoughts in the comments or join the conversation on Twitter and Facebook @AtlantaSoccerNews.
Author: Quique Lopez
Quique Lopez doesn’t just cover soccer—he deconstructs it with the precision of a veteran and the wit of a storyteller. A former player who sees the pitch as both a tactical chessboard and a cultural stage, Quique balances sharp critiques with a genuine love for the game’s soul. He’s as quick to call out the ego of a superstar as he is to find the hidden beauty in a local derby.