Atlanta United’s Thiago Almada returns to field with goal in Game 2 of MLS Playoffs

(Photo Courtesy of Atlanta United)

Thiago Almada returned to the field with a goal in Atlanta United’s 4-2 playoff win over the Columbus Crew on Tuesday to force a deciding Game 3 in the best-of-three series. Almada attempted to redeem himself in the must-win match after being suspended from Game 1 for receiving a red card in Atlanta’s Decision Day matchup against FC Cincinnati.

“The amount of desire and hunger [Almada] showed today, it was amazing,” Atlanta United head coach Gonzalo Pineda said. “He had to do it because we missed him in the last game, so he was in debt to the team.”

The 2023 MLS Young Player of the Year was not allowed to participate in the first game of the round one series after receiving a red card in Atlanta’s final regular season match of the year against Cincinnati FC for tripping Cincinnati’s Yerson Mosquera in an off-the-ball incident.

“In the moment, I forgot I had a yellow because I’m not used to being on a yellow card,” Almada said through a translator in his first media availability following the suspension. “But I want to take advantage of this moment and ask for forgiveness from my teammates, from the fans, and to say that it won’t happen again.”

Without Almada, Atlanta fell to the Crew 2-0 in the first ever playoff match at Lower.com Field and Columbus took a 1-0 lead in the series, extending their unbeaten streak to seven consecutive games.

The Five Stripes ended the game with only one shot, struggling on offense with the absence of Almada. During the regular season, the Argentine led Atlanta’s attack, contributing to a team-high 30 goals.

“Thiago’s a big piece of our team, he’s a big piece on the attacking side, but we need to look back at this game and try as a group, including Thiago, [and look at] how do we make sure we’re firing on all cylinders,” Atlanta United goalkeeper Brad Guzan said following the loss.

Game 2 was a must-win match for Atlanta in order to avoid an early elimination from the playoffs after failing to reach the postseason in 2022. The Five Stripes had two advantages in the deciding game, a home crowd at Mercedes-Benz Stadium and the return of Almada.

Atlanta’s own world champion had an instant impact on the game and scored on a breakaway goal in the 88th minute of the match to increase the team’s lead to 4-1.

“He did what we were all expecting from him,” Pineda said following the game. “Impacting the game, being a nightmare for the midfielders and disrupting them from that area. It was great to see.”

Almada will continue to be a key player for Atlanta as the Five Stripes return to Columbus on Sunday in an attempt to defeat the Crew on the road for the first time this year and advance to the Eastern Conference Semifinals. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. ET.