Alexander Ring’s golazo kept New York City FC undefeated in Major League Soccer this season, as Patrick Vieira’s side drew Atlanta United 2-2.
The defensive midfielder, recently returned from injury picked up on international duty with Finland, blasted a laser off the underside of the crossbar in the second half to level the scoreline at 2-2.
In a matchup that featured the top two teams in the Eastern Conference, NYCFC entered off handing a midweek 4-0 thumping to Real Salt Lake, while Atlanta United had won four and drawn one since a loss in their opener to the Houston Dynamo.
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David Villa, who came on as a substitute against Salt Lake, also began on the bench Sunday, as he works his way back to full fitness following a calf injury.
Atlanta left back Greg Garza got everything started in the 29th minute as he put home a rebound to give the hosts a 1-0 advantage.
But less than 10 minutes later, NYCFC would draw level from the spot.
Jo Inge Berget was fouled in the area by Michael Parkhurst. Villa, who came on as a substitute moments before, replacing the injured Ismael Tajouri-Shradi, stepped up and slid it under Brad Guzan, to make it 1-1.
Late in the first half, Darlington Nagbe appeared to have scored a brilliant goal from distance – his first for Atlanta – but the strike was ruled out by video review. Josef Martinez, in an offside position when the shot was taken, had made contact with NYCFC goalkeeper Sean Johnson, and the goal was taken off the board.
Atlanta would push hard for another early in the second half and would get it. After a period of sustained pressure a Miguel Almiron cross from the byline found Chris McCann, who nodded it home to give the Five Stripes their second lead of the game.
But it did not last as in the 73rd minute, Villa made an impressive effort to hold onto the possession at the edge of the Atlanta area and lay it off to Ring, who unleashed his rocket to equalize.
ARE YOU KIDDING ME, ALEX RING? #ATLvNYC https://t.co/JAf33RRIrE
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) April 15, 2018
The game also saw the MLS debut of Atlanta United record signing Ezequiel Barco as he entered in the 70th minute, in place of Kevin Kratz. Barco, who joined the MLS side for a reported $15 million price tag from Independiente, had his season debut delayed thanks to an injury.
The draw means NYCFC remains top of the league while Atlanta is third overall behind Sporting KC.