Atlanta United winless streak on the road continues as they were held to a tame 0-0 draw at the Soldier Field in Chicago on Saturday. Both teams have met twice since the beginning of the season. In the first meeting on March 31 the Five Stripes ran away 3-0 winners at home but were stifled in the reverse fixture. The game which was played on a knife edge had the fans biting their nails and plucking their hair out for 90 minutes.  

The traveling supporters’ knees wobbled for a few seconds in the 8th minute when Chicago Fire Chris Mueller served up a telling cross to striker Georgios Koutsias who smashed a left footed shot that crashed against the cross bar from close range.  

The ball ballooned in the starry night sky and stayed in play but luckily Brooks Lennon was able to clear the ball away before any Chicago player could collect the rebound. 

Six minutes later Atlanta United Tristan Muyumba right footed shot from the left side of the box went agonizingly close but missed the top right corner. The momentum swung in the Five Stripes favor and in the 23rd minute the home supporters were rattled by Tyler Wolff’s strike that was chalked off by VAR for offside.  Giorgos Giakoumakis, who recently returned from injury, took the initial shot in a half side position before it was turned home by wolff after it was rebounded.   

Both teams continued to trade punches round after round. However, it was Atlanta United again with a golden chance in the 32nd minute, after connecting some passes in their attacking third, the inform Argentine Thiago Almada slipped an audacious pass with Archimedean precision to pick out Brook Lennon who collected it nicely charge forward then whipped in an impeccable cross to Saba Lobjanidze, inside the box. But Chicago Fire’s custodian Chris Brady pulled off a miraculous save full stretch to deny Lobjanidze’s header which was destined for the far corner of the goal. 

 With less than 10 minutes before the end of the first half Chris Mueller came close to breaking the deadlock with two attempts in quick succession but both were handled expertly by Brad Guzan in the 35th and 36th minute. Atlanta United enjoyed the lion’s share of possession and created the best opportunities but at the break they both went into the dressing room the same way they started.  

Atlanta United have not lost to Chicago Fire FC in their last 5 meetings (3W, 2D) and currently two points ahead of them on the league table. The second half started quietly with extraordinarily little to speak of. Atlanta United, who lost their last game at home to Cincinnati FC was desperately pressing for the three points to get back among the top half of the table. In the 76th minute Thiago Almada right footed shot from long range on the left pulled out another sublime saved in the top right corner by goalkeeper Chris Brady. Three minutes later it was all Atlanta United substitute Edwin Mosquera set up Thiago Almada nicely for the opener, but his right-footed shot hit the bar from the center of the box. Before the smoke could clear it was another fearless attacking threat by the Fives Stripes again, this time it was Saba Lobjanidze right footed shot from the left side of the box was saved in the center of the goal after he was set up by Daniel Ríos.  

Daniel Ríos thought he had grabbed the winner in the 85th minute when his well struck header was enroute to the top corner, but it was the excellence of that Brady again to deny the Mexican a goal. Fire hardly had a look in in the second half and should be thankful for the heroics of their goalkeeper who helped to salvage a point from the game.  

Despite the misfortunes of the strikers much credit was given to the young home-grown talent Efraín Morales, who started at center back along with Luis Abram. The newcomer defender did not put a foot wrong on his debut keeping Chicago Fire forwards at bay. They did not fire a shot on target for the entire game and created only one big chance.  

Atlanta United sits 9th on 12 points and return home to play Minesota on Saturday at the Mercedez-Benz Stadium. Minesota has not beaten Atlanta since 2017. While Chicago Fire who is in 12 on 10 points Host New England Revolution a match up where both teams have drawn their last 6 games.  

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ATLANTA – Here is the latest restaurant news from around the metro Atlanta area, including events, new menu items and specials, openings and closings and more:

EVENTS

Culver’s is hosting its 10th annual Scoops of Thanks Day on May 2. The fundraiser offers guests a single scoop of Fresh Frozen Custard in exchange for a $1 donation to local FFA chapters and other agricultural education organizations. Plus, for the second consecutive year, Culver’s will be serving its How Now Brown Cow flavor of Fresh Frozen Custard for the event! More Info

The Truist Night Market: Passport Edition is happening May 2 at The Home Depot Backyard at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. The night market will feature more than 30 of Atlanta’s top chefs, restaurateurs, and artisans showcasing cuisines and goods from around the world. Beverage partners include Tito’s Handmade Vodka. Live music will be provided by the C.O.T. Band. Additional spirits provided by Tanqueray Gin, Greenwood Whiskey, and Creature Comforts Brewing. Limited tickets for $45 and $80 are available. More Info

Atlanta Zoo’s Beastly Feast returns May 4 featuring sophisticated elegance, a one-of-a-kind locale, signature cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, dancing, live auctions of travel adventures, jewelry, art and Zoo experiences, and more. Proceeds of the Beastly Feast benefit Zoo Atlanta’s innovative and award-winning education programs and local and global conservation efforts. A pair of tickets is $1,800. More Info

REALTED: Cinco de Mayo celebrations in metro Atlanta | 2024

ATL Burger Week is back May 6 through 12. Multiple restaurants in the metro Atlanta area will offer $12 hamburger specials for the week. May or may not include sides/drinks. A few of the participating restaurants include Bad Daddy’s, The Lost Druid Brewery, Patty & Franks, JenChan’s, Neighbor’s Pub, Grant Park Market, Ormsby’s, George’s Bar & Restaurant, Thinking Man Tavern, Elder Tree Public House, Park Tavern, and Botica. More Info

Celebrating Mother’s Day in metro Atlanta | 2024

Atlanta International Night Market is coming to downtown Chamblee May 17 and 18. Hours are 5 to 10 p.m. May 17 and 2 to 10 p.m. May 18. The night market will represent multiple regions from around the world. The night market will also feature cultural performances. More Info

Piroshky Piroshky, the unique, one-of-a-kind, Eastern European-inspired bakery in Seattle’s Pike Place Market, is coming to Atlanta on May 24 for a special preorder pickup hosted by Round Trip Brewery. Fans can select their favorite pies online before May 24. Orders will be flash frozen and ready for pickup on May 24. The bakery has been featured on Anthony Bourdain’s “No Reservations” and the Travel Channel’s “Zimmern List.” More Info

MEMORIAL DAY 

Twin Peaks is celebrating Memorial Day by offering veterans first responders a discount of 20% off food ONLY on Memorial Day. One entree per valid ID. Participating locations. More Info

NATIONAL BURGER DAY (MAY 28)

Bad Daddy’s is celebrating National Hamburger Day by offering the limited-time Birria Burger. Also, get a Modelo Pint for just $3. Offer not valid in North Carolina. Valid only May 28. More Info

Del Taco is celebrating National Hamburger Day with a BOGO deal. Buy one Double Del Cheeseburger and get one free. More Info

SPECIALS

NaanStop’s Friends Eat Free promotion for its loyal customers ends May 3. Loyalty members who purchase a combo meal—consisting of an entrée, side, and drink—will receive a complimentary entrée for a friend. To partake in this mouthwatering deal, both diners must be present, either for dine-in or to-go orders, and at least one must be a NaanStop loyalty member. More Info

Gypsy Kitchen in Buckhead Village is celebrating warmer weather with happy hour and food and drink specials from 4 to 6 p.m. Mondays through Fridays. The happy hour menu boasts a variety of flatbreads, patatas bravas, and croquetas de pollo. Glasses of wine range from $8 to $10. Grey Goose Essence spritzes, in three flavors, are $10, and the seasonal saffron-infused Highclere Castle gin spritz is $11. A portion of each Highclere Castle spritz sold goes to support Camp Twin Lakes. Other events include Wine Down Wednesdays and Third Thursdays featuring a lavish, multi-course dinner exploring the Mediterranean’s best flavors. The first event on April 18 features a five-course chef-curated menu with wine pairings. Fonseca Winery will host this event and feature some of Spain’s top varietals. Gypsy Kitchen is also bringing back its popular Basque in the Sun Sunday series featuring a flamenco guitar on the patio and Mediterranean bites and cocktails along with the regular menu. More Info

Sonny’s BBQ (multiple locations) is offering all nurses a free Pork Big Deal on May 6 and 7 to celebrate National Nurses Week. That’s a pulled or sliced pork sandwich on garlic bread or a bun, along with your choice of a Sidekick and drink. Must have coupon. More Info

Sonny’s BBQ (multiple locations) is celebrating National BBQ Month with a couple of deals. The $6 Pulled Pork Big Deal includes a sandwich with one sidekick and a drink. The $10 Pork & Rib Combo includes pulled or sliced pork and St. Louis ribs served with two sidekicks and bread. More Info

NEW MENU ITEMS

Canoe ATL is offering a new dessert item — Birthday Cake made with blueberry jam, mascarpone, and cake batter ice cream. More Info

Dunkin’ is introducing its new summer menu items: Kiwi Watermelon Dunkin’ Refresher, Blueberry Donut Iced Coffee, Vanilla Frosted Donut Signature Latte, Watermelon Burst Donut, and Green Goddess Wrap. More Info

OPENINGS

Guthrie’s is now open at 2004 Eagle Drive in Woodstock. Guthrie’s first chicken finger-only restaurant was established in Alabama in 1982, and they are considered to be the pioneers of the fried chicken finger-only restaurants. More Info

Rreal Tacos has opened a new location in the former Farm Burger space at 3365 Piedmont Road next to Twin Peaks in Buckhead. The new location features a new bar top design, elegant bathrooms, unique tabletop covers, chairs, bar stools, and a new tile ceiling design.

CLOSINGS

Iron Hill Brewery in Buckhead is closing its Buckhead location on May 2. Their Dunwoody location will remain open. More Info

OTHER

Atlanta BeltLine Tours is offering a food and street art tour every Saturday in May from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The tour will start at Krog Street Market, which was named one of the world’s best food halls by Travel + Leisure. The tour includes 4 restaurants, 6 tastings, locally-made chocolate, street art, hidden gems, and insider secrets and more. Tickets are $79 per adult. More Info

Atlanta BeltLine Tours is offering Doggie Crawl on the BeltLine from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. May 5 and 19. Your furry foodie will enjoy restaurant meals prepared just for them. You will get small bites and 1 craft beer. The tour will include shopping at paw-some pet boutiques and fun-filled doggie bags from Woofgang Bakery & Grooming and The Clean Dog. There will also be giveaways from local and national pet companies. Cost is $69 for adults with a dog. $39 for a companion (no dog). $39 for additional dogs (up to 2 dogs per person). Restrictions may apply. More Info

Rita’s Italian Ice & Frozen Custard is celebrating its 40th birthday May 4 with an epic sweepstakes. Beginning at 12 p.m. ET Monday, April 29, through 11:59 p.m. ET Sunday, May 26, participants from select states can enter weekly for their chance to win* a trip to the destination of their choice: Italy or Iceland, including airfare, hotel for two, and more. Each week of the sweepstakes, 10 randomly selected first prize winners will receive Rita’s Italian Ice for a Year. Restrictions apply. More Info

If you would like to submit information for Atlanta Bites, send an email to joyce.lupiani@fox.com.