Atlanta United Battles Back Twice to Draw Chicago Fire 2-2 at Home

Atlanta United refused to fold on Wednesday night, clawing back not once, but twice, to earn a 2-2 draw with Chicago Fire FC in a gritty, hard-fought return to Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

Alexey Miranchuk continued to show his value with his third goal of the season, while midfielder Will Reilly stepped into the spotlight with a dramatic stoppage-time equalizer — his first professional goal. On top of that, veteran keeper Brad Guzan returned from injury and came up big, tallying seven saves to keep Atlanta in the fight. The 5-Stripes are now unbeaten in their last three at home.

But this one didn’t start pretty.

Chicago stunned the stadium in just the second minute. Off an early corner, Philip Zinckernagel sent in a ball that skipped untouched through traffic and bounced straight into the far post. Just like that, Atlanta was down 1-0.

The home side found a rhythm shortly after. In the 10th minute, Pedro Amador took a clean shot off a cleared set piece — a 30-yard half-volley that forced a full-extension save from Chris Brady. Then, in the 12th minute, a slick midfield steal by Miguel Almirón and Tristan Muyumba led to a promising break. Almirón fed a charging Latte Lath, but the Ivorian’s close-range effort was smothered by Brady.

Coming out of the half, Atlanta responded with real urgency.

Bartosz Slisz sparked the equalizer in the 55th minute, winning possession deep in Atlanta’s half before driving up the wing. He linked up with Almirón, who laid it off to Miranchuk at the top of the box. A quick touch to create space, and the Russian curled it in off the far post. 1-1. Game on.

Chicago, though, wasn’t done. In the 79th minute, Andrew Gutman worked the left side and slipped a short pass to Maren Haile-Selassie. A quick move to shake his defender, and a low finish past Guzan gave the Fire the lead once again.

But Atlanta had one last push in them — and it came at the death.

In stoppage time, the 5-Stripes won a corner. Miranchuk sent in a ball that deflected off a Fire player and spilled out in front of goal. Will Reilly didn’t hesitate, sliding in to smash it home and sending Mercedes-Benz into celebration mode. The 22-year-old’s first career goal couldn’t have come at a better time.

With the draw, Atlanta United moves to 4-10-8 on the season, building on back-to-back stoppage-time results.

Up next, they stay at home for another Eastern Conference clash — hosting Charlotte FC on Saturday, July 19 at 7:30 p.m. ET.

Momentum is building. The 5-Stripes are starting to believe again.