Tai Baribo scored on a penalty kick in the 59th minute Saturday night, propelling the visiting Philadelphia Union to a 1-0 victory over Atlanta United.
Philadelphia (9-3-2, 29 points) won its second straight game and picked up points for the sixth consecutive outing. The Union netted six shots on goal to Atlanta’s three, despite Atlanta holding possession for 65 percent of the match. Philadelphia also earned the season sweep of Atlanta, following a 3-0 win at home on April 19.
Atlanta (2-7-5, 11 points) fell for the fifth time in seven tries and was held scoreless for the sixth time. Goalkeeper Brad Guzan made five saves in defeat, while Atlanta mustered just two shots on goal until extra time.
Alejandro Bedoya threatened in the 47th minute, but his header missed just to the left for Philadelphia. After Philadelphia’s Mikael Uhre had his shot blocked in the 54th minute, Luis Abram’s yellow card resulted in Baribo’s successful penalty shot in the 59th — the Israeli’s MLS-leading 11th goal of the year.
Needing an equalizer, Atlanta had two chances less than 10 minutes later, but leading scorer Emmanuel Latte Lath saw his header miss wide right. In the 71st minute, Saba Lobjanidze had his attempt saved by Philadelphia goalkeeper Andrew Rick.
In a scoreless first half, Philadelphia outshot Atlanta 7-5 — including a 4-1 edge in shots on goal. Atlanta held possession for 58 percent of the first 45 minutes.
Atlanta plays its second of three straight home matches next Sunday when it hosts FC Cincinnati, while Philadelphia returns home Saturday to face Inter Miami CF.
–Field Level Media
