Atlanta United score late equalizer against NYCFC

Nick Firmino’s header in the fifth minute of second-half stoppage time pulled host Atlanta United to a 2-2 draw against New York City FC on Wednesday.

Firmino’s goal off a cross from Brooks Lennon extended Atlanta United’s undefeated streak to seven games (2-0-5) since a 3-1 loss to Charlotte FC on May 13.

Tyler Wolff also scored for Atlanta (7-4-8, 29 points), while Gabriel Pereira had both goals for NYCFC (4-7-8, 20 points), who remained winless in their past 10 league games (0-6-4).

NYCFC, who also fell to FC Cincinnati in the U.S. Open Cup during that stretch, haven’t won since a 3-1 triumph over visiting FC Dallas on April 22.

Keaton Parks and Richard Ledezma each had an assist for New York City, which also was denied its road win of the season (0-5-5).

NYCFC needed just 42 seconds to take the lead. Parks collected the ball at midfield and lofted a pass to Pereira along the sideline. Pereira dribbled into the penalty box before curving a low shot past the outstretched arms of diving goalie Brad Guzan.

The visitors’ advantage was short-lived.

In the 11th minute, Wolff had the ball along the sideline and slid a pass into the penalty box to Ajani Fortune before cutting toward the goal. NYCFC defender Tony Alfaro’s slide tackle on Fortune knocked the ball loose, but it went right to Wolff, who blasted a shot between goalie Luis Barraza’s legs. It was Wolff’s fourth tally in his past seven games.

NYCFC took the lead in the 56th minute. Ledezma collected a loose ball several yards outside the top of the penalty box and slid a pass through the Atlanta defense to Pereira.

Pereira finished the breakaway by delivering a low shot past a sprawling Guzan for his team-high sixth goal of the season.

However, with just a few minutes remaining in added time, Atlanta’s Machop Chol had the ball outside of the corner of the penalty box. Chol waited for Lennon to make a run into the box and slid the ball so Lennon could curl a cross into the goalmouth, and Firmino headed it into the back of the net.

The Five Stripes outshot NYCFC 12-3 but put just five shots on target, while the New York City put all of its shots on frame.

–Field Level Media