Alexey Miranchuk Free Kick Sparks Atlanta United's 2-1 Win Over Toronto FC

On a cold, wet Saturday afternoon at BMO Field, the kind of day that turns every pass into a coin flip, Alexey Miranchuk found the one thing the weather could not touch: a dead ball just outside the box and a left foot that does not need permission.

Atlanta United beat Toronto FC 2-1, with Miranchuk's 48th-minute free kick and Tristan Muyumba's 67th-minute finish giving the visitors their first road win of the season. Emilio Aristizábal pulled one back with a header in the 71st, and Toronto had a late equalizer ruled out for offside, but the Five Stripes held on to snap a four-game losing streak and end Toronto's seven-match unbeaten run.

Rain, VAR and the Physio Room

The first half was mostly a battle with the elements. Both clubs described a rain-soaked, chilly afternoon, and the football looked like it. Luke Brennan had a shot blocked in the 11th minute after a Matt Edwards cross, and Ajani Fortune sent one high and wide in the 17th. Aristizábal answered with a shot that slid wide in the 18th.

Then the injuries started piling up. Toronto lost Benjamín Kuscevic in the 20th minute, with Lazar Stefanovic coming on. Two minutes later Cayman Togashi, making his first career MLS start per Atlanta United, put the ball in the net, only for VAR to rule it out for offside. Atlanta's recap said Togashi was hurt during that play, and he gave way to Emmanuel Latte Lath in the 27th. José Cifuentes followed him off in the 30th, replaced by Derrick Etienne Jr.

Atlanta's club site described a stretch of around five minutes where the ball barely stayed in play, and the fourth official eventually signaled seven minutes of first-half stoppage time. Miranchuk missed from the middle of the box in the 31st, Cooper Sanchez dragged one wide after a corner in the 35th, and Stian Gregersen and Sanchez were both booked. It was 0-0 at the break, and it felt about right.

Miranchuk Paints the Top Corner

The second half needed three minutes to produce the game's best moment. Josh Sargent fouled Fortune just outside the box, and Miranchuk stood over the ball. His left-footed free kick went over the wall and into the top left corner, leaving Luka Gavran with no chance.

Atlanta's milestone notes gave it extra weight. The club said it was Miranchuk's first direct free kick goal in MLS and Atlanta United's first direct free kick goal in MLS play since May 17, 2023. The club added that it was the first direct free kick goal ever scored by Atlanta United in an away match. The AP noted it was his fifth goal of the season.

Toronto woke up. Alonso Coello sent a free kick of his own just past the top right corner in the 61st minute, and Lucas Hoyos made his only save of the day on a Zane Monlouis header in the 63rd.

Muyumba Doubles It, Toronto Answer

Then Atlanta struck again. Sanchez carried the ball forward, per the club, and found substitute Fafà Picault, who laid it off for Muyumba. Muyumba hit a first-time left-footed shot from the middle of the box into the top right corner in the 67th minute. The buildup to the goal was 18 passes, which the club said was the sixth-longest ever for Atlanta United in a regular-season match, and it was Muyumba's first goal of the season.

Toronto replied four minutes later. Kobe Franklin delivered a cross and Aristizábal powered a header into the top left corner. Toronto FC said it was his first goal for the club, making him the sixth different player to score for the Reds this season.

Robin Fraser emptied part of his bench immediately, sending on Jules-Anthony Vilsaint, Malik Henry and 17-year-old Antone Bossenberry in the 72nd. Toronto thought they had leveled late, but Toronto FC's recap said Vilsaint's close-range finish was wiped out by a belated offside flag, and ESPN logged Vilsaint offside in the 85th minute. Gavran, who had scored a stoppage-time equalizer against Philadelphia on Wednesday, even went forward for a corner in added time, per Atlanta's recap. Lightning did not strike twice.

Who Delivered

Alexey Miranchuk scored the opener with a free kick that came with a little history attached, and Atlanta's recap praised his work as a connector all afternoon.

Tristan Muyumba scored his first goal of the season with his only shot. The AP said he now has three goals in 74 career appearances.

Stian Gregersen led the Atlanta back line. The club credited him with a match-high five clearances.

Emilio Aristizábal was Toronto's most active attacker, with four shots and the goal.

Lucas Hoyos only had to make one save, and he made it.

The Turning Point

The Muyumba goal. Toronto had started to push after Miranchuk's free kick, with Coello's near miss and Monlouis' header raising the volume. Atlanta's response was an 18-pass move that ended in the top corner. Aristizábal's header four minutes later showed what a 1-1 game might have looked like. At 2-1, Toronto were chasing with the clock in Atlanta's favor.

Stats That Matter

• Shots on target: Both teams put 2 on target. Atlanta scored with both.
• Shots: Toronto took 9 shots to Atlanta's 6.
• Possession: Nearly even, with Toronto holding 51 percent.
• Saves: Hoyos made one. Gavran made none.
• Corners: Toronto won 8 corners, Atlanta 7.

What It Means

Atlanta United improve to 2-1-7 with seven points. It is their first road win of the season, according to both the AP and the club, and their first MLS win since beating Philadelphia 3-1 on March 14. Counting from the season's results, it also ends a four-game losing streak that included Wednesday's 2-1 home loss to New England. Next up is a U.S. Open Cup Round of 16 trip to Charlotte FC on Tuesday, then CF Montréal at home next Saturday.

Toronto fall to 3-4-3 with 13 points. Their seven-match unbeaten run is over, as is their unbeaten home record, with the AP noting this was Toronto's first home loss of the season. The Reds had drawn their previous three, including Wednesday's 3-3 draw with Philadelphia. San Jose visit BMO Field next Saturday.

Closing Take

Every gloomy, rain-soaked game needs a moment that makes the umbrella worth it. Miranchuk provided it, Muyumba doubled it, and Atlanta finally got to enjoy a flight home. For a team that had been losing the plot all April, this was the sort of afternoon that starts a new chapter.

Stats from ESPN's match data. Additional details from the AP, ATLUTD.com and TorontoFC.ca.