Union, Atlanta United draw 1-1 with playoff hopes on the line

By Anthony Caruso III | Publisher

Chester, Pa. — The Philadelphia Union have put even more pressure on themselves. Their playoff lives are now being tested.

The Union’s latest draw puts the team in a tough situation.

The Union played to a 1-1 draw with Atlanta United FC on Saturday night at Subaru Park.

Now, after the draw, the Union are tied with two other teams, who they are competing with for the final two playoff spots. These teams are in the 8th, 9th, and 10th positions — and only the Top 9 teams advance to the playoffs.

Toronto FC, the Union, and C.F. Montréal are tied with 37 points. At press time, only Toronto FC and the Union are in the playoffs due to tiebreakers.

Toronto FC has an 11-4-17 record. Both the Union and C.F. Montréal have 9-10-12 records.

The Union and Atlanta United FC picked up one point each for the draw. As of press time, Atlanta is out of the playoffs with 34 points with their 8-10-13 record.

With their playoff hopes on the line, the Union have a difficult task over the next week. The Union face the No. 4 seed, Orlando City SC, on Wednesday night.

Then, after the Orlando City game, the Union also has a road contest next Saturday. That’s against the No. 2 seed, the Columbus Crew.

If they can secure any points in these two games, it’ll be critical to their playoff hopes.

This was the Union’s first draw since a 0-0 draw with the New York Red Bulls on July 6th. Atlanta United has had a draw in their last three games.

The Union got on the board first. That’s when Nathan Harriel scored in the 61st minute.

Then, about 10 minutes later, Atlanta United tied up the contest. That’s when Saba Lobzhanidze scored in the 72th minute.

The Union had two goals overturned due to offsides in the game. The first instance happened in the first half when a goal was overturned.

Then, in the second half, they also had a goal overturned where Atlanta United scored.

There were three yellow cards in the game. The Union picked up two of the yellow cards.

Mikael Uhre received a yellow card in the 69th minute. Harriel picked up a yellow card in the 76th minute.

Atlanta United’s Brooks Lennon received a yellow card in the 52nd minute.

The Union also had seven shots on goal and capitalized just one. Atlanta United’s lone shot on target resulted in their lone goal.