Thiago Almada Shines as Atlanta United Secures 2-1 Win against San Jose Earthquakes
Atlanta United’s Thiago Almada has proven to be a force to be reckoned with in the MLS. The star midfielder’s performance during the MLS is Back weekend proved just that. With two second-half stoppage time goals against the San Jose Earthquakes, Almada led his team to a 2-1 victory, setting off raucous celebrations at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
THIAGO.
EZEQUIEL.
ALMADA. pic.twitter.com/zbxbdCzHRq— Atlanta United FC (@ATLUTD) February 26, 2023
Almada, who recently helped Argentina win the FIFA 2022 World Cup, first scored in the 93rd minute with a bar-down shot that brought Atlanta level after Jeremy Ebobisse’s first-half opener for the visitors. However, it was Almada’s second goal that stole the show, a stunning 99th-minute free kick that curled past Quakes goalkeeper Daniel and spoiled head coach Luchi Gonzalez’s first match in charge of San Jose.
Thiago Almada only scores bangers™️ pic.twitter.com/jTcaN2t0Nu
— Atlanta United FC (@ATLUTD) February 26, 2023
This past winter, Almada became the first-ever active World Cup winner in the MLS and the 13th player overall to win the game’s biggest trophy. During his debut season with Atlanta, Almada tallied six goals and 12 assists in 29 games. The 21-year-old Designated Player’s impressive performance has earned him the title of the most expensive incoming transfer in MLS history, arriving for a reported $16 million from Argentina’s Velez Sarsfield. With aspirations of moving to Europe in the future, Almada could potentially rival Miguel Almiron’s reported MLS-record $26 million transfer fee when he moved from Atlanta to English Premier League side Newcastle United in 2019.
Playing without new DP striker Giorgos Giakoumakis, who was experiencing visa issues, Atlanta took all three points before a season-opening crowd of 67,538. Almada’s brace not only secured the win for his team but also ensured that Luiz Araujo’s first-half missed penalty kick will be less of a regret.
Historic: @ATLUTD‘s Thiago Almada became just the fourth player in @MLS history to score a game-tying goal and a game-winning goal in the 90th minute or later of a match, and first to do so since RSL’s Albert Rusnák in 2018 (Aug. 18 vs. Houston). pic.twitter.com/RqjanKXaJ4
— MLS Communications (@MLS_PR) February 26, 2023
Head coach Gonzalo Pineda has been impressed with Almada’s performance on and off the field. “He’s a fantastic kid with a great mentality,” said Pineda. “What I love is his humility. When we start to talk in the locker room, the first thing I say about Thiago is his goals and he said it’s about the whole team, it’s about the whole effort from everyone. And I think that speaks for itself.”
In conclusion, Thiago Almada has undoubtedly made a significant impact on Atlanta United and the MLS as a whole. With his impressive skills on the field and humble attitude off the field, Almada has become a fan favorite and a valuable asset to his team. As he continues to shine in the MLS, there is no doubt that Almada’s future is bright, and we can’t wait to see what he will achieve next.
