Jamal Thiare’s sneaky move in the final seconds secured a 2-1 win for Atlanta United against Toronto FC on Saturday night.
It was Atlanta United’s first home win in the MLS since March under Rob Valentino.
Jamal Thiare capitalised on Luka Gavran’s lack of awareness to score the decisive goal of the match. The Toronto goalkeeper had safely gathered the ball in the 97th minute and was set to put the ball back in play before Thiare snuck from behind him to steal the ball and blast into an empty net to send the home fans into frenzy.
“I would say I’m on the younger side of coaching and the younger side of being in the game, but I have never seen anything like that,” interim head coach Rob Valentino said in his post-match press conference. “I made the joke to Dax [McCarty], after I ridiculously went sprinting down the sideline, that he has played 20 years now and I bet he has never seen a finish like that. It was incredible, bizarre, but I’m glad we’re on this side of it.”
Toronto appeared to have gone in front in the 25th minute when Lorenzo Insigne headed in from six yards. However, after a long video review it was determined that the Italian was offside from Jahkeele Marshall-Rutty’s cross.
Just before half time, Almada opened the scoring for Atlanta United. Daniel Rios played him through and the midfielder’s low shot beat Toronto goalkeeper Gavran.
Toronto did not wait too long before responding. Two minutes into the second half, Lorenzo Insigne sent a long pass to allow a mazy run from Federico Bernardeschi. The Italian cut back and finished with a beautiful left foot strike from 15 yards, just beyond the reach of diving Atlanta goalkeeper Brad Guzan.
Jamal Thiare would have the final say with the late winner, as Atlanta United’s current undefeated run is stretched to four under Valentino – two wins, two draws.
“I think we really needed that win, not just a win, but a win at home to get back to the fans because they emotionally deserve that,” Caleb Wiley said. “It was a boost in confidence. We go back on the road next week, two away games, two hard opponents. So the boys are in pretty high spirits after this win and we’ll go to New England and try to do the same thing.”
Toronto have now failed to win since May. They have suffered five defeats in their last seven games (D2, L5). They will host Orlando City in their next game on Wednesday night and will hope to stop a run of four consecutive defeats in front of their fans at BMO Field.
Atlanta United will travel to play New England Revolution and will look to build on their latest win in Major League Soccer.