Stian Gregersen lifts Atlanta United over Crew

(Photo credits: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports)

Stian Gregersen scored twice from Saba Lobjanidze corner kicks to score his first goals in MLS as Atlanta United secured a 2-1 win over the visiting Columbus Crew on Saturday.

Atlanta (7-11-7, 28 points) ended a 0-3-1 streak thanks to Gregersen, who scored in the 60th and 77th minutes after Diego Rossi had given Columbus the lead in the 36th minute.

The Crew (12-4-7, 43 points) saw a six-game unbeaten streak (5-0-1) come to an end.

Atlanta United took advantage of poor zonal coverage during Lobjanidze’s left corner kicks. Gregersen scored his first goal in his 14th game of the season, sending a powerful header down the middle after Lobjanidze’s first serve.

It was the second game in a row in which the Crew scored first but then gave away the equalizer. They drew 1-1 with Charlotte FC on Wednesday after leading 1-0 in the 31st minute.

The decisive goal looked almost identical to the first, with another powerful header from Gregersen passing Columbus goalkeeper Nicholas Hagen.

Columbus applied high pressure to quickly move from defense to attack and score the first goal. Sean Zawadzki gave a through ball to Alexandru Irinel Matan on the left flank.

Matan dribbled to the end line, forcing Atlanta goalie Brad Guzan to make a left-footed save, but the rebound went straight across the goal and past three Atlanta players for an easy tap-in by Rossi. It was Rossi’s ninth goal of the year.

Rossi has scored five goals and provided five assists in his last seven regular season games.

Atlanta scored in the first minute of its previous match, a 2-2 draw with New York City FC on Wednesday. It didn’t get off to a great start this time around, but the hosts were still dangerous against the best defence in MLS, often running straight for goal.

In the seventh minute, Atlanta forward Jamal Thiare thought he was awarded a penalty when Hagen came off his goal and brought him down, but Thiare was disallowed for offside.

–Field Level Media