ATLANTA — Giorgos Giakoumakis netted a first-half goal, Jamal Thiaré scored the first two goals of his career in the second half and Atlanta United blanked the Chicago Fire 3-0 on Sunday.
The first goal came late in the first half when Giakoumakis used a crossing pass from Saba Lobjanidze in the 45th minute to knock in a right-footed shot from close range. It was the fifth netter of the season for Giakoumakis.
Thiaré gave Atlanta United a two-goal lead in the 64th minute. Thiaré used a crossing pass from Brooks Lennon to send a header to the bottom left corner of the net. Thiaré was making his first start and his fourth appearance this season. He made four appearances last season.
Thiaré’s second goal came in the fifth minute of stoppage time, sending a left-footed kick to the bottom left corner.
Evergreen Park native Brad Guzan finished with three saves to earn the clean sheet for Atlanta United (3-2-0).
Chris Brady, a 20-year-old in his second season as a starter, saved four shots for Chicago (1-3-2).
The Fire were forced to play a man down after the 84th minute when defender Carlos Terán was sent off with a red card.
Atlanta United has won all three of its home matches this season, outscoring its opponents 8-1. The club improves to 7-0-0 at home against the Fire and leads the all-time series 8-5-2.
The Fire return to Chicago to play the Houston Dynamo on Saturday. Atlanta United travels to play New York City FC on Saturday.
