Atlanta United Falls 3-1 to Columbus Crew at Lower.com Field

Atlanta United couldn’t overcome a first-half surge from the Columbus Crew, falling 3-1 on Wednesday night at Lower.com Field. Despite a second-half goal from Brooks Lennon — his first of the season — three unanswered goals from the Crew in the opening 45 minutes proved decisive.

Atlanta’s brightest early chance came in the 8th minute when Mateusz Klich and Emmanuel Latte Lath linked up down the left wing. Klich delivered a well-placed cross into the box aimed at Alexey Miranchuk, but a timely defensive intervention from Columbus denied a clean look at goal.

Columbus opened the scoring in the 23rd minute. Midfielder Dylan Chambost lifted a ball over Atlanta’s backline to a streaking Andres Herrera on the right. Herrera calmly slotted a left-footed shot to the far post past goalkeeper Josh Cohen, putting the hosts up 1-0.

Just nine minutes later, Jacen Russell-Rowe made it 2-0 after being slipped through by Daniel Gazdag. Russell-Rowe held off a challenge from Efraín Morales and buried a low strike from a tight angle inside the near post. He struck again in the 42nd minute when Diego Rossi capitalized on a loose ball outside Atlanta’s box and threaded a pass to Russell-Rowe, who finished from close range to complete his brace and extend the lead to 3-0.

Atlanta responded after the break and cut into the deficit in the 56th minute. A short corner from Miranchuk led to a floated cross to the far post, where Morales headed it back across goal. Crew goalkeeper Evan Bush mishandled the ball, allowing Lennon to pounce and poke it over the line. The goal was confirmed after video review.

The visitors nearly added a second just nine minutes later. Miguel Almirón sparked a counterattack and fed Latte Lath, who cut inside and curled a left-footed effort just wide of the far post.

Despite the improved second-half showing, Atlanta couldn’t mount a full comeback and dropped to 4-10-5 on the season with 17 points.

Atlanta United will look to rebound on Saturday, July 5, when they travel to face D.C. United at Audi Field. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. ET.