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Atlanta United Vs Philadelphia Union: Winners and losers – Five Stripes stumble again

By Chris Smith

ATLANTA, GA MARCH 10: Atlanta head coach Frank de Boer gestures from the sideline during the MLS match between FC Cincinnati and Atlanta United FC on March 10th, 2019 at Mercedes Benz Stadium Fifth Third Bank Stadium in Atlanta, GA. (Photo by Rich von Biberstein/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA MARCH 10: Atlanta head coach Frank de Boer gestures from the sideline during the MLS match between FC Cincinnati and Atlanta United FC on March 10th, 2019 at Mercedes Benz Stadium Fifth Third Bank Stadium in Atlanta, GA. (Photo by Rich von Biberstein/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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ATLANTA, GA – MARCH 17: Frank de Boer, head coach of Atlanta United looks on during the second half of the game between Atlanta United and Philadelphia Union at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on March 17, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA – MARCH 17: Frank de Boer, head coach of Atlanta United looks on during the second half of the game between Atlanta United and Philadelphia Union at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on March 17, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images) /

Loser – Frank de Boer

Michael Parkhurst at left-back. Honestly, Frank?

At times on Sunday, it seemed like Frank de Boer was more concerned with trying to match up to Philadelphia’s system rather than accentuating the strengths of his own, constantly switching between three at the back, midfield diamonds and other weird and yet not-so-wonderful set-ups.

And to cap it off, as he switched to a back four, he decided 35-year-old Michael Parkhurst was the man to fill his left-back void. To be fair to the veteran, he performed admirably but showed absolutely nothing going forward because, well, that’s just not what he does.

De Boer finally got two things right when he replaced Parkhurst with Brek Shea, an actual left-back, in the 58th minute, before bringing on Ezequiel Barco who went on to score the equaliser. But those changes were solutions to self-imposed problems and, if Atlanta are to push on this season and challenge for MLS Cup, Supporters’ Shield or anything else this season, these fundamental tactical mistakes must stop.

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