Atlanta United FC 1, FC Dallas 2 | 2019 MLS Match Recap

Jesus Ferreira scored for the second consecutive game and FC Dallas survived a second-half onslaught before a late Bryan Acosta insurance goal to defeat Atlanta United, 2-1, Saturday afternoon at Mercedes Benz Stadium. 

Ferreira’s goal started with a tremendous turn into space in midfield to avoid a sliding Leandro Gonzalez Pirez by Michael Barrios, who played to Ferreira inside the box. The 18-year-old took a touch with the outside of his right foot before calmly slotting past Brad Guzan and with Michael Parkhurst bearing down.

The sixth-minute strike was Ferrera’s third in his last four appearances.

Ezequiel Barco, who struck for his first MLS brace in a tidy 2-0 win over the New England Revolution last weekend, had a pair of chances to level 10 minutes apart in the first half, but he smashed a shot off the post and was denied by Jesse Gonzalez, who punched away his free kick.

The young Argentine caromed another attempt off the crossbar with a free kick just past the hour mark.

Gonzalez came up huge in the 79th minute, diving to push aside a Josef Martinez shot inside the box and denying the reigning MLS Golden Boot presented by Audi award winner in the waning moments, diving to his right to slap away his close-range shot.

Completely against the run of play, Acosta latched onto a Barrios cross and smashed home the insurance goal.

Martinez scored from the penalty spot deep in second-half stoppage time to give the hosts a late lifeline, but the final whistle came moments later, followed by a chorus of boos from the home fans.

Goals

• 6’ — DAL — Jesus Ferreira | WATCH
• 84’ — DAL — Bryan Acosta | WATCH
• 90’+7’ — ATL — Josef Martinez (PK) | WATCH

Three Things

THE BIG PICTURE: A match between two teams with a lot of young, attacking talent, this one didn’t disappoint. FC Dallas made a big statement with a win at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, something only three other teams have been able to accomplish. Meanwhile, all those good feelings from the defending MLS Cup champion’s first win of the year are out the window, especially from the hordes of their passionate, yet frustrated, fans.

MOMENT OF THE MATCH
: It’s debatable what’s more impressive, the turn at midfield by Barrios or the mature finish by Ferreira, a big part of FC Dallas’ impressive youth movement.

MAN OF THE MATCH: Barrios was a thorn in the side of the Five Stripes, especially Gonzalez Pirez, who he left in the dust in the buildup to the game’s first goal. For good measure, he also assisted on Acosta’s goal that sent the fans to the exits early.

Next Up

• ATL: Saturday, April 27 vs. Colorado Rapids (6 pm ET | MLS LIVE on ESPN+ in US, on DAZN in Canada)
• DAL: Saturday, April 27 vs. San Jose Earthquakes (3:30 pm ET | Univision, Twitter, MLS LIVE on DAZN in Canada)