St. Louis City scores long-awaited goal and settles for draw against Atlanta

Indiana Vassilev’s second-half goal ended St. Louis City’s drought at 342 minutes, but Atlanta United rallied to post a 1-1 draw Saturday night in St. Louis.

Daniel Rios scored in the 71st minute for Atlanta United.

Before Vassilev’s 50th-minute goal, St. Louis City (3-6-10, 19 points) was shut out in three straight games. Their most recent goal came in the 68th minute of a 3-3 draw against Inter Miami CF on June 1.

However, St. Louis City saw its winless streak reach eight matches (0-5-3).

Atlanta United (5-8-6, 21 points) played without Thiago Almada, suspended one match for accumulation of yellow cards.

Atlanta United is 1-0-2 under interim coach Rob Valentino.

St. Louis goalkeeper Roman Burki made seven saves, while his Atlanta counterpart, Brad Guzan, made three.

Both teams shot 15 times. but Atlanta put twice as many (8 to 4) on target.

Jayden Reid and Joao Klauss played roles in St. Louis City’s goal.

Reid sent a long pass towards the far post. Klauss used his position to put his head on the ball and kicked it back to Vassilev, who was charging and launched a left kick past Guzan. It was Vassilev’s third goal of the season.

Atlanta United equalized the score 21 minutes later. Nokkvi Thorisson was booked for a foul in the box on Stian Gregersen, and Atlanta chose Rios to take the penalty while Almada served his suspension.

Rios stood in place and advanced slowly and Burki blocked his shot with his right foot. The rebound went straight to Rios, and he sent a right foot into the net for his third goal of the season.

St. Louis City thought it had scored its first goal in three weeks when Thorisson’s shot was deflected off Atlanta’s Efrain Morales and into the net in the 39th minute.

The play was reviewed and it was ruled that Eduard Lowen of St. Louis City had fouled Tristan Muyumba of Atlanta by stealing the ball early in the sequence, thus overturning the count.

St. Louis City had another solid chance in the 10th minute, but Klauss’ right-footed shot went off the center of the crossbar.

Atlanta had a great chance in the 27th minute, but Burki stopped Xande Silva’s right-footed blast.

–Field level media