The Sports Inquirer

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Original Free Kick: Atlanta United hosts FC Dallas in Major League Soccer action (9.23.20) — September 22, 2020

Original Free Kick: Atlanta United hosts FC Dallas in Major League Soccer action (9.23.20)

Atlanta United goalkeeper Brad Guzan #1 celebrates after making a save during the match against New England Revolution at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA, on Saturday October 19, 2019. (Photo by Steffenie Burns/Atlanta United)

FC Dallas visits Atlanta United in Major League Soccer action at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Wednesday night.
Dallas (5-4-2, 19 points) enters the contest on a three-match winning streak which includes a 3-2 victory at Sporting Kansas City Sept. 19. Ryan Hollingshead’s goal in the 87th minute proved to be the game-winner for Dallas which also had Franco Jara notch two first-half goals.
“We were hungry to get a third (win) in a row and gain momentum,” Dallas manager Luchi Gonzalez said. “Our guys didn’t give up, believed we could still push the game and exposed space behind for the game-winner. I’m proud of them but we have to re-patch the wounds, regenerate and be ready for another game. That’s the type of schedule we have right now.”
Dallas is third in the Western Conference standings, two points behind the first-place Seattle Sounders. Bryan Acosta received a red card in the Kansas City contest and is suspended for the Atlanta match.
Atlanta (3-2-7, 11 points) dropped its home contest to Inter Miami CF 2-1 Sept. 19. Jon Gallagher scored the lone goal for Atlanta in defeat.
“The first issue is that we lost the first goal on the counter attack,” Atlanta interim manager Stephen Glass said. “That’s something we specifically talked about the opportunity to tackle on their half to prevent the counter. That’s something that should be prevented. We didn’t get shots off in the second half.”
Atlanta is now winless in its last six contests and won only one of its last 11 matches dating back to July 21. Atlanta sits 12th in the Eastern Conference standings, one point out of 10th place and a spot in the playoffs.
“Dallas is coming off of three wins,” Glass said. “It’s not easy in this league on any given day but this isn’t a group of players that are going to roll over and accept that things aren’t happening. There are fine margins to getting wins and hopefully that starts Wednesday night.”

Fighting Peaches: Georgia State women’s soccer Ed Joyce interview (9.22.20) —

Fighting Peaches: Georgia State women’s soccer Ed Joyce interview (9.22.20)

Georgia State women’s soccer head coach Ed Joyce
Photo credit: Georgia State Athletics

The Sports Inquirer spoke with Georgia State women’s soccer head coach Ed Joyce for an exclusive interview Sept. 22. Topics included the Panthers’ 2-1 overtime road win over Appalachian State Sept. 17, dropping their home opener against Coastal Carolina Sept. 20, playing a contest at Center Parc Stadium, the experience of playing a regular season contest after the difficulties of the preseason and preparing to host Georgia Southern Sept. 27.

Fighting Peaches: Georgia State women’s soccer Ed Joyce interview (9.22.20)
Fighting Peaches: Georgia State men’s soccer Brett Surrency interview (9.22.20) —

Fighting Peaches: Georgia State men’s soccer Brett Surrency interview (9.22.20)

Georgia State men’s soccer head coach Brett Surrency
Photo credit: Georgia State Athletics

The Sports Inquirer spoke with Georgia State men’s soccer head coach Brett Surrency for an exclusive interview Sept. 22. Topics included the Panthers’ 2-1 road win over Mercer Sept. 18, the contributions of senior forward Aris Briggs and senior goalkeeper Paul Tyson, the experience of playing a regular season contest after the difficulties of the preseason, Georgia State’s place in the evolving Atlanta soccer scene and preparing to visit South Carolina Sept. 24.

Fighting Peaches: Georgia State men’s soccer Brett Surrency interview (9.22.20)