A first-half goal from Luiz Araújo helped Atlanta United defeat Toronto FC 2-0 at BMO Field on Saturday night, as the visitors picked up a valuable three points in their pursuit of an Audi 2021 MLS Cup Playoffs spot.
With the victory, Atlanta United jumped up four spots into fifth place in the Eastern Conference table – two points clear of eighth-place New York City FC, who they will host on Wednesday at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Toronto FC, meanwhile, have been officially eliminated from playoff contention.
TFC started the match well and came within inches of getting off to a dream start in front of the home crowd. Less than five minutes in, Jonathan Osorio’s first-time effort from just outside the box after a cross from Ifunanyachi Achara had Atlanta keeper Guzan beaten, but not the crossbar.
20 minutes later, it was Atlanta's turn to shake the woodwork. A half-hearted clearance was pounced on at the top of the box by George Bello, and his shot from distance took a wicked deflection off TFC defender Kemar Lawrence and off the crossbar, as the game remained scoreless early on.
And it would remain that way until first-half stoppage time when The Five Stripes would break through via Araújo. Bello, who was an active part of Atlanta's attack throughout the first half, delivered a low ball into the box where it was met by Araújo, and the Brazillian forward got just enough on his shot to loop it over a helpless Alex Bono and in, making it 1-0 for the visitors.
And Araújo had a golden opportunity to net his second of the match early in the second half. After quickly winning back possession off a TFC goal kick, Matheus Rossetto played in Araújo, and from point-blank range, his effort beat Bono but not Toronto defender Omar Gonzalez, who scrambled back to the goal line to provide cover for his stranded keeper.
Atlanta would snag an insurance marker late into second-half injury time. On his own, Marcelino Moreno beat Lawrence 1v1 before sliding his shot past a sprawling Bono to make it 2-0 Atlanta and secure the crucial three points for the visitors.
Temperatures would boil over late in the match, with both Auro Jr. of Toronto and Ezequiel Barco of Atlanta being sent off after a coming together.
