Tai Baribo’s penalty kick wins it as Union top Atlanta United
The league's scoring leader, Baribo notched his 11th goal on a penalty kick in the second half to give the Eastern Conference-leading Union the win.
ATLANTA — League scoring leader Tai Baribo recorded his 11th goal on a penalty kick in the second half to give the Eastern Conference-leading Union a 1-0 win over Atlanta United FC on Saturday.
Baribo scored in the 59th minute after Luis Abram was given a yellow card for a hand ball. The penalty occurred when Atlanta keeper Brad Guzan came off his line and misplayed the ball attempting to clear it.
Kai Wagner gathered the loose ball and a sliding Abram appeared to deflect the ball out of play. However, video review showed the ball hit Abram’s right hand before deflection off the right foot.
Baribo went low past the outstretched keeper for the lead.
Union keeper Andrew Rick helped seal the win in stoppage with a save against a Derrick Williams in the center of the box. Rick registered three saves.
The Union (9-3-2) outshot Atlanta by 14-9 despite maintaining possession for just a third of the match.
The Union haven’t lost a match since a 1-0 defeat against New York City on April 12.
They shut out Atlanta (2-8-5) with a 3-0 win on April 19. Atlanta’s winless streak stands at eight games.