Five-Goal Hole Too Deep: Atlanta United’s Wild Comeback Falls Short Against Columbus

Atlanta United gave fans a rollercoaster of emotions on Saturday night at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, but in the end, the hole was just too deep. The Five Stripes fell 5-4 to Columbus Crew in a nine-goal thriller that officially knocked them out of MLS Cup Playoff contention.

After going down 5-0 in the first half, Atlanta roared back behind Jamal Thiaré, who bagged a second-half brace, and goals from Miguel Almirón and Pedro Amador. Cooper Sanchez also made his MLS debut, adding a bright spot to an otherwise crushing night.

The nightmare start came courtesy of Columbus’ attack, with Diego Rossi scoring in the 14th and 17th minutes before Wessam Abou Ali and Andres Herrera piled on. Rossi completed his hat trick in the 39th, putting Atlanta in a five-goal hole before the break.

But Atlanta didn’t go quietly. In first-half stoppage time, Thiaré won a penalty, and Almirón calmly converted to give the Five Stripes a lifeline. Just seconds into the second half, the fight was on. Brooks Lennon whipped a one-time cross to Pedro Amador, who headed home his first goal for the club.

Then came the spark—Thiaré. In the 49th minute, the Senegalese forward latched onto a long ball, outfoxed Columbus keeper Patrick Schulte, and coolly slotted it home. In the 88th, he struck again, this time with a soaring header off a Stian Gregersen cross, sending Mercedes-Benz into a frenzy.

Atlanta pushed hard for the equalizer, but the clock ran out on one of the wildest matches of the season.

The loss stings, but the fight shown in the second half gave fans a glimpse of what this team is capable of when the attack clicks.

Atlanta United (5-13-11, 26 points) will be back in action Saturday, Sept. 20, hosting San Diego FC at Mercedes-Benz Stadium (4:30 p.m. ET).