Atlanta United FC earned a 3–1 victory over Philadelphia Union on Saturday afternoon at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Emmanuel Latte Lath scored his first goal of the season, while captain Miguel Almirón recorded three assists, becoming the club’s all-time leader in MLS regular-season assists with 38.
The match opened with both teams creating chances. Atlanta’s best early opportunity came in the 15th minute when Tomás Jacob was played down the right wing by Homegrown midfielder Cooper Sanchez. Jacob delivered a first-time cross toward Latte Lath at the top of the six-yard box, but his close-range effort was saved by Andre Blake.
Atlanta broke the deadlock in the 28th minute. Elias Baez sent a long pass forward that found Almirón advancing into open space in Philadelphia’s half. The captain threaded a perfectly weighted through ball to Latte Lath, who finished calmly into the bottom-right corner to give Atlanta a 1–0 lead.
Philadelphia nearly equalized just before halftime. In the 41st minute, Baez was called for a foul on Bruno Damiani inside the penalty area, conceding a spot kick. Milon Iloski stepped up to take it, but his attempt struck the left post and rolled out, allowing Atlanta to carry its 1–0 advantage into the break.
Atlanta doubled its lead early in the second half. Matías Galarza found Almirón making a run down the left channel, and the captain delivered a cross toward the far post where Jacob finished from close range to make it 2–0.
The Five Stripes added a third goal in the 68th minute with a sharp counterattack. Latte Lath combined with Almirón in the attacking third before the Paraguayan slipped a diagonal pass into the box for Alexey Miranchuk. Miranchuk calmly placed his shot into the corner to extend the lead to 3–0, while Almirón’s assist set a new Atlanta MLS regular-season record.
Philadelphia pulled one back in the 87th minute through Agustín Anello to round out the scoring.
Atlanta United (1–3–0, 3 points) returns to action Saturday, March 21, when it hosts D.C. United at Mercedes-Benz Stadium (7:30 p.m. ET, Apple TV, 92.9 The Game, La Mejor).
