Slisz’s first career goal helps Atlanta United earn 1-1 draw against Nashville

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Bartosz Slisz scored his first career goal 10 minutes into the second half to help short-handed Atlanta United earn a 1-1 draw against Nashville SC on Saturday.

Nashville (3-4-7), in its first game since joining the league in 2020 without manager Gary Smith leading the way, won the tie under interim manager Rumba Munthali. Munthali, a former Nashville player and current player development coach, took the reins temporarily following Smith’s firing on Thursday.

Atlanta United (3-6-5), who played without Thiago Almada and Giorgos Giakoumakis, are winless in their last eight matches. Atlanta lost its dynamic duo to injuries in last week’s 1-0 loss to FC Cincinnati.

Nashville took a 1-0 halftime lead thanks to a Hany Mukhtar penalty goal in the 40th minute. Mukhtar’s third goal of the season came after Atlanta United goalkeeper Brad Gusan received a yellow card for a foul on Mukhtar in the penalty area.

Slisz, a rookie midfielder, shot Atlanta United even when he received a pass from Tristan Muyumba and fired a right-footed shot from outside the box into the bottom right corner of the net in the 55th minute . It was the first assist of the season for Muyumba, who had a goal and an assist in 10 matches last season, his first in the league.

Joe Willis did not make a save in the Nashville goal. Guzan stopped four shots for Atlanta United, including three in the second half.

Nashville leads the all-time series 4-3-4. Atlanta United handed Nashville its worst defeat, 4-0 at the end of last season. Nashville won 3-1 the last time Atlanta United came to town in April of last season.

Atlanta United returns home to face Los Angeles FC on Saturday. Nashville will travel to face CF Montreal on Saturday.

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