Chicago v Atlanta
Ezequiel Barco nets first MLS goal as Atlanta United defeat Chicago Fire
Ezequiel Barco and Josef Martinez scored, and Atlanta United extended its unbeaten streak to eight with a 2-1 win over the Chicago Fire on Saturday night.
Barco opened the scoring in the 53rd minute, beating goalkeeper Richard Sanchez with a rising shot that clipped underneath the crossbar. Miguel Almiron started the play with a takeaway from Mohammed Adams about 40 yards from goal and a drive to the top of the penalty arc, drawing in several defenders before feeding to an open Barco on the left flank. It was the 19-year-old Barco's first MLS goal.
Martinez doubled Atlanta's advantage in the 57th minute with his league-leading seventh goal of the season. Darlington Nagbe and Greg Garza had a give-and-go in the penalty area to draw Sanchez away from net before Nagbe laid it off to Martinez for an open-net finish.
Kevin Ellis pulled Chicago back to within 2-1 in the 61st minute, settling Garza's attempted clearance with his chest and smashing it back into the net for his first goal with the Fire.
Game Information
MLS Standings
| Team | GP | W | D | L | GD | P |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nashville SC | 8 | 6 | 1 | 1 | +13 | 19 |
| Inter Miami CF | 8 | 4 | 3 | 1 | +2 | 15 |
| Charlotte FC | 8 | 4 | 2 | 2 | +5 | 14 |
| Chicago Fire FC | 8 | 4 | 2 | 2 | +4 | 14 |
| New England Revolution | 7 | 4 | 0 | 3 | +4 | 12 |
| Toronto FC | 8 | 3 | 3 | 2 | -1 | 12 |
| New York City FC | 8 | 3 | 2 | 3 | +4 | 11 |
| Red Bull New York | 8 | 3 | 2 | 3 | -7 | 11 |
| D.C. United | 8 | 2 | 2 | 4 | -5 | 8 |
| FC Cincinnati | 8 | 2 | 2 | 4 | -6 | 8 |
| CF Montréal | 8 | 2 | 0 | 6 | -8 | 6 |
| Columbus Crew | 8 | 1 | 3 | 4 | -2 | 6 |
| Philadelphia Union | 8 | 1 | 1 | 6 | -6 | 4 |
| Atlanta United FC | 8 | 1 | 1 | 6 | -8 | 4 |
| Orlando City SC | 8 | 1 | 1 | 6 | -19 | 4 |
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