Giakoumakis leads Atlanta United to first playoff win, keeps semifinals hopes alive

(Photo Courtesy of Atlanta United)

ATLANTA – 2023 MLS Newcomer of the Year Giorgos Giakoumakis had three goal contributions as he led sixth-seeded Atlanta United to a 4-2 win over the third-seeded Columbus Crew in Game 2 of their Round One series to keep Atlanta’s semifinals hopes alive.

“We faced the reality that we were worried about and we said now we’re going to bounce back,” Giakoumakis said. “We have to be the team we used to be.”

Giakoumakis recorded a goal and two assists in Game 2 to reach 18 goals in all competitions.

The Greek striker first scored with a header in the 38th minute to get Atlanta on the board. He then assisted winger Xande Silva right before the end of the first half and Edwin Mosquera in the 83rd minute to give the Five Stripes a decisive 3-1 lead.

“It was a massive boost for our confidence and our mentality,” Giakoumakis said. “We grow up more day by day and we help the younger players to grow within these results and performances.”

Returning to the field after being suspended for Game 1 of the series due to receiving a red card in Atlanta’s final regular season game against Cincinnati, Thiago Almada scored in the 88th minute to boost Atlanta’s lead to 4-1.

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

Maximilian Arfsten scored for Columbus in second-half stoppage time to bring the final score to 4-2. 

With the victory, Atlanta ends its four-game winless run, the longest since Pineda took charge of the team in August 2021, and hands the Crew its first loss since Sept. 16.

Despite conceding the third-most goals in the Eastern Conference during the regular season, Atlanta’s defense was key in the must-win match. The Five Stripes limited Columbus to just four shots on goal in the game.

“This was a good opportunity for us to improve,” Pineda said. “Overcoming tough moments, I think that makes you better. Today they did that. They showed up and they overcame this moment of pressure and stress. Mentally, it was a very strong performance from everyone.”

The win in Atlanta evens the best-of-three series at 1-1 and forces Game 3 at Lower.com Field in Columbus on Sunday, Nov. 12, to determine which team will advance to the Eastern Conference Semifinals and face Orlando City SC. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. ET.