ATLANTA — New York City FC twice found itself in front Saturday night, but twice Atlanta United found an answer as the two Eastern Conference sides played to a 2-2 draw in front of 37,478 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
The result leaves NYCFC ninth in the Eastern Conference with an 8-10-9 record and 33 points as the MLS regular season enters its final stretch. The Boys in Blue are now 4-4-5 away from home this season.
NYCFC didn’t have to wait long for its opening advantage. An Atlanta own goal put the visitors ahead early, giving New York City an ideal start on the road.
Atlanta eventually responded through Giuliano Galoppo to send the match into halftime level at 1-1.
The Boys in Blue wasted little time restoring their advantage following the restart.
Andrés Perea found the net just minutes into the second half, with Agustín Ojeda supplying the assist to put NYCFC back in front. It marked Perea’s second goal of the MLS regular season and his fifth goal contribution through 17 appearances.
His other league goal this season also came away from home, against the New York Red Bulls during May’s Hudson River Derby.
Ojeda’s contribution continued what has become the best MLS regular season of his career. The Argentine now has five goals and a team-leading 10 assists through 27 appearances, surpassing his previous career highs in both categories.
The assist also gave Ojeda 25 MLS regular-season goal contributions for NYCFC, consisting of eight goals and 17 assists.
But for the second time Saturday, New York City couldn’t make its advantage stick.
Jay Fortune supplied Atlanta’s second equalizer, denying NYCFC an opportunity to leave Mercedes-Benz Stadium with all three points.
The draw continued NYCFC’s unusual history against Atlanta. New York City now owns a 5-3-9 regular-season record against the Five Stripes, including a 1-3-5 mark in Atlanta. The clubs will meet once more this season on Oct. 28 with NYCFC serving as host.
Saturday was also a milestone night for Ojeda beyond his contribution on the scoresheet. The 2026 team assists leader made his 100th appearance for NYCFC across all competitions, becoming the 21st player in club history to reach the Century Club.
Goalkeeper Tomás Romero, meanwhile, made his first MLS start of the season with regular starter Matt Freese away on international duty with the U.S. Men’s National Team.
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