Stian Gregersen’s headers power Atlanta United past Columbus

Atlanta United’s first two goals from set-pieces this season, both by Stian Gregersen, resulted in a 2-1 victory against Columbus on Saturday at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

Both Gregersen headers came from corner kicks by Saba Lobjanidze, increasing his assists total to a team-leading seven, and came in front of an announced attendance of 42,601. The goals were Gregersen’s first for the club and the first time he’s ever scored twice in one match. The plays were designed by Liam Curran, who also came up with the sequence that resulted in Atlanta United’s first goal against NYCFC on Wednesday.

“We work every week, but this week, we work a little bit extra,” Gregersen said. “I think we’re going to say a team goal. Jay (Fortune), amazing blocks for me. So I can go along there two times and score a goal and it was a fantastic serve from Saba, also. So it’s very good that it’s working.”

Among other firsts: it was the team’s first win when it conceded the first goal, improving its record to 1-8-4 in that situation. It was also Atlanta United’s (7-11-7) first from its stretch of six matches in 18 days. It was the team’s second win during its past 10 home matches.

Interim manager Rob Valentino’s lineup was composed of striker Jamal Thiare, midfielders Xade Silva, Fortune, Lobjanidze, Tristan Muyumba and Bartosz Slisz, fullbacks Brooks Lennon and Ronald Hernandez, centerbacks Gregersen and Derrick Williams, and goalkeepers Brad Guzan.

Atlanta United started well, particularly Silva. He forced a save and followed a few minutes later with a long run and cross-field pass to Slisz running down the right that resulted in another nervy moment for Columbus in the opening 10 minutes. A Thiare shot was saved at point-blank range by Nicholas Hagen in the 13th minute. Fortune played in Saba, who received the ball during a full sprint, but he couldn’t produce a shot in the 21st minute.

For all its good work Columbus struck first in the 36th minute when Diego Rossi tapped-in a cross that was deflected by a diving Guzan. The cross was played in by Alexandru Matan, who beat Lennon to the touchline. The sequence started with a turnover by Muyumba in Atlanta United’s defensive third of the field.

Valentino said that chance conceded was Columbus’ only good one in the half. He reminded the players that at halftime.

“We always try to get messages across and we touched mentality, on being alert and using hand signals ... but they dug in,” Valentino said. “They could feel the moment and so they dug in and they did the work to get a result.”

Atlanta United tied the match in the 60th minute on a header by Gregersen from a corner kick by Lobjanidze.

It was a set piece that Atlanta United had tried in the first half. Gregersen said in studying Columbus they recognized that it was possible for a player to get a running start to attack a header. Fortune blocked the defender trying to stop Gregersen, giving him a path to a pinpoint pass by Lobjanidze.

“I think I made good crosses in the first half, but you can’t score on every corner,” Lobjanidze said. “But you try your best.”

Gregersen’s second header was just like his first, a powerful shot from 6 yards away. It came in the 76th minute. After he scored, he turned to the Supporters Section and saluted. He is the fourth player to score at least two goals in a match for the team this season.

The win pushed Atlanta United from 12th to ninth and above the playoff line in the East. League play will pause for the Leagues Cup. Atlanta United will host D.C. United on July 26 in its opening match in the tournament. League play will resume with Atlanta United at the L.A. Galaxy on Aug. 24.

“These guys are gonna be on the ball,” Valentino said. “And we have to defend and be disciplined and then when the moment comes, when we can regain it, we need to try to punish them. So the collective work was really good. Has to be like that every game. So that is the challenge for them. They’ve shown me that they can do it. Now, demand that every game.”

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Atlanta United’s 2024 schedule

Feb. 24 Columbus 1, Atlanta United 0

March 9 Atlanta United 4, New England 1

March 17 Atlanta United 2, Orlando 0

March 23 Toronto 2, Atlanta United 0

March 31 Atlanta United 3, Chicago 0

April 6 Atlanta United 1, NYCFC 1

April 14 Atlanta United 2, Philadelphia 2

April 20 Cincinnati 2, Atlanta United 1

April 27 Atlanta United 1, Chicago 1

May 4 Minnesota 2, Atlanta United 1

May 7 Atlanta United 3, Charlotte Independence 0 in U.S. Open Cup