Atlanta United Express Lane: OCSC In 10 items Or Less

So, how was your weekend?

The #5Stripes had one like this…

https://twitter.com/ATLUTD/status/909584151203815424

A new MLS record crowd of 70, 265

You don’t see that every day and MLS Commissioner Don Garber didn’t either… He showed up… and ESPN’s Taylor Twellman admitted he was wrong…

Oh, the game… it was crazy… and Josef Martinez has scored 7 goals in a week…

Consider that Josef Martinez has a GOAL-PER-GAME average of 1.4… When he’s healthy, he can be outright ridiculous- and proved it again with a BACK-TO-BACK HAT TRICK PERFORMANCE!

Evidence below…

"“He’s a game changer,” captain Michael Parkhurst admitted after the match. “He’s invaluable to us. Obviously, he’s a handful to defend against. His first step is so quick. It’s impossible to defend that goal that he put in near post off the cross from Tito (Hector Villalba). He’s just too quick. He’s always in the right spot in front of the goal. He’s lethal and he loves to score goals. He gets disappointed when he doesn’t.“He’s an extremely important part of this team. We’re thankful he’s on top of hisgame right now.”“He proves his quality week in and week out for us,” goalkeeper Brad Guzan said. “It is important that he is on our team. That’s for sure. When we get to see him come off in a match day, it is exciting for you guys and it’s exciting for the fans. We see it in training so we know he has that ability. He has that skill (and) to have it come off on a match day is huge.”"

The Lions Either Settled Or Didn’t Settle For A Point

So, what say you, Jason Kreis?

"“Our objective was to get three points here and it will be the rest of the way. So, to settle for a point is a little bit disheartening. I have to look past that and at the performance and I’m reallyproud of what the guys put into it. I thought the effort and the mentality to respond twice after giving away goals and get the lead again, I thought, was fantastic. The guys gave useverything and I could not be prouder of them.”"

And here’s the flip side…

Or Tata’s short version:

"“We’ve been saying it for a while but the support today was even better than usual. We’re happy to play in front of a fanbase like that. It’s clear that the fans have a fervent passion for soccer here — the same passion that our players have on the field. Today, we were able to come back three times from three goals down and I like that attitude from our team.”"

One player who was active, but not active on the score sheet knew that this rivalry match would be a tough one and an interesting one on a few different fronts… Miguel Almiron:

"“It was a tough game– a complicated game. I think Orlando’s a really good team and we were able to score three goals to come back but they were able to score goals quickly after to make the difference but I think, overall, it’s a decent point. We took seven points in three games and we’re in the playoffs at the moment. We’re happy about that. We know that we just have to keep playing and we have things to improve on.”"

So, was it a gained point or a lost two points?

"“I think disappointing because we were at home and the manner in which we conceded the goals,” Chris McCann said after the match. “Overall, to come back three times is probably a point in the end for us. We pushed all the way. I think they caught us with three good crosses into the box. It was difficult to deal with, but we kept it going. We stuck to what we know. We had to do best under the circumstances. I think we played some good football at times. It probably wasn’t our best football but we still managed to get a point and we’re still unbeaten. We’re still in the mix.”"

Which is true with all the help Atlanta United got over the weekend… but there was one moment that seems to crystallize the love affair that the fans are gaining with the team…

Anton Walkes And His Twitter Conversations…

Walkes, playing center back, got caught on two of the three Orlando City goals. He owned up to it post-game:

"“I’ll take full responsibility for them. I think the first one was hard because I was expecting Brad (Guzan) but that’s where I think I have to take full responsibility— and make sure I make the effort to see the play all the way out— instead of relying too much on Brad — considering how excellent he’s been. I think I just got a bit complacent. I think it’s another learning point. The team did well to get back in. Josef (Martinez), again, with another hat trick. (I) think there’s many positives we can take from the game and, hopefully, push on and keep moving forward.”"

And, then, he apologized again…

126 replies, 63 retweets, and 953 heart clicks later… the town, or at least 99-percent of it, admitted the apology was unnecessary. Classy, unnecessary, and another reason to get behind a 19-year-old kid far from home…

Next up: Los Angeles Galaxy and a game that could see some roster rotation…

So, 17’s, what say you after the 3-3 draw with the Lions… 5 points in three matches against a rival that’s not a rival until you call them rivals…

Log in below in the Comments Section and let Multiplex know what you think as the next 3 points looms large for the #5Stripes at The Benz Wednesday night!