Atlanta United defeated D.C. United 3-2 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Saturday afternoon, with Ezequiel Barco scoring one goal and assisting on another.

Atlanta's third straight win and seventh in eight matches lifted them over D.C. and into fourth place in the Eastern Conference table of the Audi 2021 MLS Cup Playoffs race, at least momentarily. Meanwhile, D.C.'s playoff aspirations were dashed when their three-game undefeated streak came to an end.

Barco scored his second free-kick stunner in as many games in the 18th minute, blasting it over a lunging Bill Hamid to put Atlanta on the board. If Brad Guzan had not made a point-blank save on a Russell Canouse header right in front of goal during first-half stoppage time, D.C. would have tied the game.

D.C. piled on the pressure in the second half as they looked for an equalizer, and Guzan was called upon again at the hour mark, making another massive stop on an Edison Flores rocket from beyond the box. However, Atlanta doubled their advantage seconds later when Barco slid a pass to Josef Martinez, who finished past Hamid for his third goal in two games.

With just over 15 minutes left, Felipe Martins blasted a golazo past a leaping Guzan – his first goal since 2019 – to draw D.C. within 2-1 and spoil what would have been Atlanta's third consecutive shutout victory. Atlanta, on the other hand, won courtesy of Marcelino Moreno's spectacular run and display of talent, which he passed in front of goal to George Bello for a simple tap-in.

Flores added a goal of his own in second-half stoppage time, but it was only a consolation for D.C., who had not lost since losing 2-1 to Atlanta at Audi Field on August 21.

[Photography by ICONIC photographer Rachel Pearce]