A match with high expectations between the two top teams in the Eastern Conference lived up to the hype as Atlanta United and NYCFC battled for 90 minutes for a hard-fought 2-2 draw at Mercedes-Benz Stadium Saturday.
Tata Martino kept his unbeaten 3-5-2 formation going for the fifth-straight match, with Leandro González Pirez and Greg Garza returning to the lineup from red card suspension and injury, respectively. Meanwhile, Tito Villalba missed out, meaning Kevin Kratz joined the midfield, with Miguel Almirón pushing high up the field. And there was major news on the bench, with offseason signing Ezequiel Barco making the matchday squad for the first time this year.