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Atlanta United Vs Toronto FC: 3 things we learned – Wacky, wacky finish

By Josh Bouland

TORONTO, ON - June 26 In second half action, Toronto FC goalkeeper Quentin Westberg (16) keeps his eye on a last second penalty kick by Atlanta United midfielder Gonzalo Martinez (10) that went high and lost Atlanta the game.The Toronto Football Club (TFC) beat the Atlanta United FC 3-2 in MLS soccer action at BMO Field.June 26, 2019 (Richard Lautens/Toronto Star via Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - June 26 In second half action, Toronto FC goalkeeper Quentin Westberg (16) keeps his eye on a last second penalty kick by Atlanta United midfielder Gonzalo Martinez (10) that went high and lost Atlanta the game.The Toronto Football Club (TFC) beat the Atlanta United FC 3-2 in MLS soccer action at BMO Field.June 26, 2019 (Richard Lautens/Toronto Star via Getty Images) /
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TORONTO, ON – June 26 In second half action, Toronto FC goalkeeper Quentin Westberg (16) keeps his eye on a last second penalty kick by Atlanta United midfielder Gonzalo Martinez (10) that went high and lost Atlanta the game. The Toronto Football Club (TFC) beat the Atlanta United FC 3-2 in MLS soccer action at BMO Field. June 26, 2019 (Richard Lautens/Toronto Star via Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON – June 26 In second half action, Toronto FC goalkeeper Quentin Westberg (16) keeps his eye on a last second penalty kick by Atlanta United midfielder Gonzalo Martinez (10) that went high and lost Atlanta the game. The Toronto Football Club (TFC) beat the Atlanta United FC 3-2 in MLS soccer action at BMO Field. June 26, 2019 (Richard Lautens/Toronto Star via Getty Images) /

1. Toothless attack

Just as they struggled in defense, so too did Atlanta struggle in the attack. Yes, they scored two goals in this game, and yes, they found a way to pull ahead of Toronto at one point and almost earned a result anyway, but the team’s finishing was less than stellar and ultimately led to their demise.

The biggest culprit on the night was Brandon Vazquez. The young attacker earned his first career MLS start after scoring four goals in two U.S. Open Cup matches. He earned the start, but did not perform as well as he could have. Vazquez had two fantastic opportunities to score but failed to put away either of them. Both occurred in the second half. The first came from just inside the box. Vazquez turned around a defender, moved the ball onto his dominant right foot, and attempted a curling shot that scraped barely over the bar. His next big opportunity came on a counter-attack, in which he found open space on the field. His shot went just wide though.

Vazquez was not the only player for Atlanta to miss chances. Gonzalo Martinez will certainly want that final penalty back, and even Brek Shea and Michael Parkhurst had a couple of opportunities of their own that they will want back.

Next. USMNT Vs Panama: 3 things we learned. dark

Things will be better in the attack when Josef Martinez, Hector Villalba, and Ezequiel Barco are back from injury and international duty. In the meantime, this team needs to score goals without those guys.

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