Atlanta United midfielder Miguel Almirón #10 dribbles the ball during the Leagues Cup match against the Necaxa at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA on Wednesday July 30, 2025. (Photo by Mitch Martin/Atlanta United)

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Atlanta United Drops Leagues Cup Opener to Necaxa, 3-1

By Yakiri Thomas / July 31, 2025

 

Atlanta United couldn’t get it done in their Leagues Cup opener, falling 3-1 to Necaxa Wednesday night at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Alexey Miranchuk found the back of the net for Atlanta, scoring his fifth goal across all competitions, but it wasn’t enough to overcome a sharp Necaxa side.

The visitors struck first in the 12th minute after a wild sequence in front of goal. Tomás Jacob ripped a shot that deflected off Derrick Williams, landing perfectly for Raúl Sánchez. His attempt bounced off the crossbar, then off the back of Brad Guzan, and into the net. After a long VAR check for a possible handball and offside, the goal stood, and Necaxa went up 1-0.

Atlanta answered back in the 28th minute. Luke Brennan torched his defender on the left wing and slipped a ball into Tristan Muyumba, who sent a cross across the box. Necaxa’s keeper got a hand on it but pushed it right into Miranchuk’s path, and the Russian midfielder tapped it home to make it 1-1.

The Five Stripes almost grabbed the lead a few minutes later. Brennan picked off a pass in midfield and fed Miguel Almirón, who blasted a shot from the top of the box that was blocked. The rebound fell to Jamal Thiaré, but his strike was smothered by Necaxa keeper Ezequiel Unsain. Almirón stayed active, curling one just wide in stoppage time and forcing another diving save early in the second half.

Atlanta thought they’d earned a penalty in the 67th minute when Enea Mihaj went down in the box, but after another video review, the call was overturned. Then in the 72nd, Almirón nearly gave Atlanta the lead again, this time smashing a shot off the crossbar.

Necaxa punished Atlanta shortly after. In the 77th minute, Tomás Badaloni slipped free on a corner and headed home to put the visitors back on top, 2-1. He’d add another in stoppage time to seal the 3-1 win.

With the loss, Atlanta United (0-1-0) will try to bounce back Saturday, Aug. 2, when they face Pumas UNAM at Inter&Co Stadium in Orlando. Kickoff is set for 9 p.m. ET on MLS Season Pass.

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