Troubling signs emerge from Atlanta United’s draw with the New York Red Bulls
Gabriel Heinze didn’t mince words after Atlanta United settled for a scoreless home draw against the New York Red Bulls.
It was another so-so effort from Atlanta United against a New York Red Bulls side that in recent years has been problematic for them at home. As is typical of the red-and-black, especially at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, they were dominant in possession and created an advantage in chances.
But the quality of the chances and the ability to finish them again appeared lacking for Atlanta United. This is a team that has struggled this year to capitalize on their fetish for holding onto the ball but seems to have an aversion to scoring goals.
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
Despite having 62 percent possession, Atlanta United had just three shots on goal to New York’s four.
Talk after the match of this being a “building block” for Atlanta United was quietly turned away by Heinze, the Atlanta United head coach.
“First, I don’t like to tie. I like to build when I lose or when I win. I don’t think I’m taking the right path if I can only help the team when I win. It’s totally the opposite,” Heinze told reporters after the match.
“I tell my players, also my son and daughter, that when you lose it helps you keep building. In that respect if you have a different analysis. But totally the opposite for me. When I lose, that’s when I need to continue. I don’t change. When I win, that’s when I need to change.”
Atlanta United now has just six points from five home games this season. They have four points from their last five games and haven’t won a match since May 15.
This is a deep Atlanta United roster and one that should be able to withstand the loss of players to Copa America, such as star forward Josef Martinez. And yet their form in recent weeks shows a serious flaw to their team.
The Red Bulls did what they do when they play on the road and specifically against Atlanta United. They ceded possession and struck on the counter attack, winning second balls and frustrating Atlanta United’s running in the channels.
It was ugly, gritty stuff from the Red Bulls and it doesn’t earn them any style points. But it was a point on the road for New York and that’s what mattered for the visitors.
But at the end of the day, the lack of wins is frustrating for Atlanta United, a team that is built to win now. While there is a certain learning curve under a first-year head coach in Heinze that is to be expected, this team is clearly underachieving at this point in the season.
Atlanta United, with the draw, is 2-2-6 (12 points) and in tenth place in the Eastern Conference. A disappointing standing for one of the most expensive rosters in MLS.
“You have to take away anything positive that you can and that’s the clean sheet,” defender Miles Robinson said after the match.
“And coming up with some chances later in the game. The team work ethic, and the fact that we stayed together out there for 90-plus minutes, that’s definitely something to take away.”
Follow Kristian Dyer of ‘MLS Multiplex‘ on Twitter @KristianRDyer