Atlanta United, Toronto Battle to Scoreless Draw at Mercedes-Benz Stadium

Atlanta United and Toronto FC played to a 0-0 stalemate Sunday afternoon inside Mercedes-Benz Stadium, with both sides locked into a defensive grind from start to finish.

The silver lining for the Five Stripes? Young keeper Jayden Hibbert. Making just his third start, the 21-year-old notched his first career clean sheet with the First Team—another strong step in his rapid rise.

Chances were few and far between. Atlanta’s best look in the opening half came in the 17th minute when Saba Lobjanidze slipped the ball inside to Alexey Miranchuk. From just outside the box, Miranchuk curled an effort toward the far post, but it skipped wide. Later in the 38th, Miguel Almirón danced past two defenders and floated a ball to the back post for Lobjanidze, who connected on the volley but sent it wide of the mark.

Right after the break, Hibbert had to stand tall. Toronto’s Theo Corbeanu found himself in on goal after a quick counter, but Hibbert was up to the task, making the save look routine. From there, Atlanta pressed forward, peppering the box with crosses in search of a late winner, but the breakthrough never came.

Postgame, Atlanta United head coach Ronny Deila didn’t sugarcoat what he saw from his squad.  “I think, today, we looked sluggish, tired, and slow in everything we did. I think we started out quite well, but then it died out and we didn’t get the pressure right, didn’t move the ball quick enough, didn’t break lines enough, and we ended up with a match in which we didn’t create anything. That [seems to be the case] this year, we’re either not creating at all, or creating some chances, so that is disappointing.”

Atlanta (4-12-11, 23 points) collected its third clean sheet of the season and now turns the page to a rivalry showdown on Saturday, Aug. 30, when the Five Stripes travel to face Nashville SC at GEODIS Park. Kickoff is set for 8:30 p.m. ET.