Down 2-0 into the 2nd half, at 60 minutes Kevin Ellis got the home team within one. The Fire held a 2nd half possession advantage at 60%, a highly overrated stat for me and they got off several half chances yet none equated to one goal. Just 9 minutes into the game, Nikoli beat ATL GK Guzan low to the back post but a heady defensive clearance by Michael Parkhust, with a goal line block. At 53 minutes the deadlock was broken by Ezuquiel Barco fed by Miguel Almiron as it went in off the crossbar from just 6 yards. Minutes later it was 2-0 as Josef Martinez tucked away a give and go from Nagbe and Garza. Ellis took the ball off his chest then sent the full volley into the net getting his first goal in the windy city.
FIre HC, Veljko Paunovic had this to say following the loss,"I'm proud of the effort from our team. I think we played a game against a really good team. We keep growing. We never give up". When asked why Campbell was up front, coach replied "We needed someone who could play in arial duels.'" On Schweinsteiger playing higher than previously, coach informed "No matter who plays, the whole team defends no matter what the formation is. I think that we were very solid. They had quality. As I said, don't look where is Bastian playing, look where the team is doing."
Johan Kappelhof had this to say on playing a tough attacking team, "It was a tough game. I think we worked hard." About moving on from the last 3 results, " Good teams. I think we can be proud of ourselves over the last 3 games."
Bastian Scheinsteiger, on team's performance, "I think we did attack the goal really well. We had good chances to score goals. At the end, the team was a little bit more quality, once again". About returning to midfield, "Good, I think it was reall good. We pressed on quite well. We have to keep going." For Montreal , "I think we had good things in our game today against the ball, also with the ball. We did some good things. We have to recover fast and be ready to play against Montreal." On a setback after 2 positive results, " Obviously, to lose is always a setback. We played against a very good team today. We had very good situation in the game. We won the ball , we created chances. You could also say that Atlanta, when they had one chance they scored a goal."
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