It is time to be (slightly) concerned about Atlanta United’s season
It isn’t a bad start to the season for Atlanta United, but a club with high expectations is certainly not living up to them. The latest example came on Sunday afternoon in a 2-2 home result against the Philadelphia Union.
Now through three games played this year, Atlanta United has yet to beat the Philadelphia Union with a loss and two draws. Their first two meetings came earlier in the year in the CONCACAF Champions League.
But the loss and the way Atlanta United folded (yet again) is worrisome for a side where far more should be expected.
More from MLS Multiplex
- Javier Milei Elected in Argentina: Potential Impacts on MLS and Signings of Argentine Players
- Orlando City and New York City FC in the Battle for Matías Arezo; Grêmio Enters Negotiations! Who Will Come Out on Top?
- USA, Honduras, Panama, and Canada Close in on a Spot in the 2024 Copa America
- De Gea Turns Down Al-Nassr’s Lucrative Offer: Speculation Points to Possible Reunion with Messi at Inter Miami
- Messi’s Magnetic Impact in the United States
Atlanta United took a lead in the 58th minute via an own goal and then doubled it 15 minutes later off a clinical header from Aton Walkes. The lead evaporated then when in the 84th minute, Jamaican international Cory Burke pulled one back and then Jakob Glesnes wonder goal leveled the score in stoppage time.
And while Glesnes’ hit was the stuff of legends, for Atlanta United, it was another disappointing result and more dropped points at home.
“I think we defended well tonight. At the beginning of the game we were more vertical in the way we attacked because of the spaces given to us,” Atlanta United head coach Gabriel Heinze told reporters after the match.
“Afterwards we were able to attack as well. Each goal, you can look at a different analysis. It’s something that we need to see and something that we need to score one more goal. But this is a team that I want and I’m happy with the performance.”
Drastic changes are not needed. No one should be fired. Yet, Atlanta United needs something more and it can’t be found on the transfer market. It has to be pounded into this locker room’s presence, their esprit de corps.
Dating back to a 1-1 result at the Philadelphia Union in the CONCACAF Champions League, a draw that knocked them out of the tournament, Atlanta United has conceded a lead in four of their last six matches.
Bad stretches happen over the course of a long MLS season, but what is troublesome for Atlanta United is that three of those matches where leads have been conceded have been at home. It makes for a ho-hum stretch as from their last five matches, they have seven points. Not horrible stuff by any stretch but for a team that has the potential and firepower to be an elite side, it certainly has been a discouraging run of form.
Atlanta United could and should be an MLS Cup contender. To see them give up another lead, in particular at home, calls into question not just the man management implemented by Heinze but also the entire roster construct.
This is a team that lacks a spine.
It also lacks an identity.
Flair, switches and dynamic attacking is nice. But over the past six weeks, Atlanta United has shown a shocking lack of bite and backbone. Currently as things stand in mid-June, an MLS Cup contender this team is not.
Time for Atlanta United to be willing to claw, scratch and fight for the badge. If not, the playoffs let alone advancing in them, might be a bit of a dream.
The dropped points are beginning to hurt Atlanta United, who are now 2-1-5 (11 points) and sit below the red line in the MLS playoff standings.
“In a soccer game, both teams are going to have chances. They were able to capitalize on their chances late in the game tonight,” defender Brooks Lennon said after the match.
“I think their second goal was, some people could call it a lucky shot, but we didn’t close him out and didn’t put pressure on him. So, we need to look at that on film and go back and fix out mistakes. And hopefully the next time we have a 2-0 lead, we can keep it.”
The loss of Emerson Hyndman to an ACL tear surely hurts, but this is a team that still has struggled to close out matches this season.
Atlanta United had 57 percent possession in Sunday’s draw but still managed just a 20:16 advantage in shots and 6:5 in shots on goal.
Follow Kristian Dyer of ‘MLS Multiplex’ on Twitter @KristianRDyer