Atlanta United Vs New York City FC: 3 things we learned – Pitiful performance

Atlanta United turned in a pitiful performance on Wednesday night in a 4-1 loss to New York City FC, losing the top seed in the Eastern Conference in the process. See what we learned.

Atlanta United lost 4-1 to New York City FC on Wednesday night in a horrendous performance. The defense shipped four goals, including three fatal mistakes from defender Leandro Gonzalez Pirez. New York’s Alexandru Mitrita scored a hat-trick in the first half, becoming the first player to do so against Atlanta. Pity Martinez, meanwhile, notched Atlanta’s only goal on a penalty drawn by Brandon Vazquez.

Atlanta missed out on a huge opportunity at claiming the top spot in the East. A win would have pulled the Five Stripes within one point of NYCFC, but instead, the team is now seven points back with just two matches remaining. The highest place Atlanta can finish is second in the conference and must battle the Philadelphia Union for the spot.

Following the loss, Atlanta now have just four days to prepare for another road match this Sunday against the Montreal Impact. Following their yellow cards on Wednesday night, Sunday’s upcoming match will be without both Mo Adams and Eric Remedi, leaving the midfield depth somewhat thin.

See what we learned from Wednesday’s abysmal performance.

3. Sluggish performance

If there was only one word to describe Atlanta United’s effort and performance, it would be ‘sluggish’. New York City FC were the complete opposite, bringing an intensity and energy that was rewarded just 14 minutes into the game. They routinely put pressure on the ball, forcing Atlanta into mistakes, and controlled the match as a result of their extra intensity.

Atlanta did themselves no favors, with more wayward positioning and rather putrid defending by Leandro Gonzalez Pirez. The Argentine center-back was directly responsible for three of New York’s four goals, including two nearly identical goals from Alexandru Mitrita. In both cases, Gonzalez Pirez was slow to switch his hips while defending, allowing Mitrita the space to cut inside onto his dominant foot and shoot. For New York’s fourth goal, Gonzalez Pirez was slow to track a loose ball, in which Heber outran him, stole the ball away, and converted an easy chance.

Mitrita (and New York)’s third goal came as a result of poor defensive positioning, something that has plagued Atlanta’s defense in recent weeks. Although Brad Guzan was able to parry the initial shot, it fell to Mitrita’s feet and the Romanian put away his chance with ease. There were no Atlanta defenders within five feet of Mitrita.

If Atlanta do not solve their defensive issues, it will not matter who they play or where they play in the playoffs. More often than not, they are beating themselves with amateur mistakes, and that will not lead to success in the playoffs.