Jay Fortune Shines, But Can He Really Carry Atlanta United?

Atlanta United rolled into Charlotte and managed to squeak out a 1-0 victory. It was Jay Fortune who delivered that sweet, sweet goal, sealing the three points. Sure, those points are great, but are we really seeing the tide turn, or is this just a brief glimpse of hope that’s bound to fade? Atlanta fans might need more than blind faith to believe this team’s got anything worthwhile left in the tank this season.

Atlanta United’s at a crossroads. This win against Charlotte? It’s like that classic movie scene where the hero finally catches a break after nearly drowning, but we all know the monster’s still lurking. Yeah, the celebration was justified—winning on the road, especially in a regional clash, is never easy. But let’s not kid ourselves, the overall team performance still leaves a lot to be desired.

Follow MLS Multiplex on X (Twitter).

Jay Fortune, the unexpected hero, scored his first professional goal. A beauty from outside the box that had Atlanta fans jumping out of their seats. But let’s face it, Atlanta United’s been more of a sleeping giant lately. Expectations have been sky-high ever since the team joined the MLS, and they delivered in those early years. But these days, they’re barely keeping their heads above water, and one win against a regional rival doesn’t change that reality.

Now, let’s talk about Alexey Miranchuk. The guy’s got a resume that makes you sit up and take notice—Europa League champ with Atalanta, from one of the toughest leagues around. And to be fair, the Russian showed his chops against Charlotte. It was his vision that almost put Lobjanidze through on goal twice. But can Miranchuk really carry this team on his back? And will he have enough time to adjust to the MLS before the season slips away?

Here’s the rub: a 1-0 win, with a goal from a kid just finding his feet, isn’t exactly a sign that the team’s ready to turn it all around. Brad Guzan, the seasoned vet between the sticks, had to work his tail off to keep that slim lead. And that’s worrying. When your goalie’s the standout, it’s usually a red flag about the rest of the squad’s performance.

Atlanta’s defense has been more heart-stopping than heartwarming. Sure, they held the line this time, but how many times have we seen this team crumble after giving up a silly goal? Consistency at the back just isn’t there, and that’s something interim coach Rob Valentino needs to fix, like, yesterday. It’s no good having a promising attack if your defense is a leaky bucket.

Another thing that’s got to be addressed is how this team’s being managed. The coaching carousel, tactical inconsistencies, and the struggle to find a formation that actually works have left fans on the brink of losing it. Rob Valentino’s doing his best, but it’s hard to believe he’s the long-term answer. It feels like Atlanta United is constantly patching up holes in a sinking ship. And while the win against Charlotte is a nice positive, it doesn’t fix the deeper issues.

There’s still time, and there’s definitely enough talent on this roster to turn things around. If Fortune keeps shining, if Miranchuk settles in quick, and if the defense stops playing like Swiss cheese, who knows—maybe Atlanta United will stumble upon the magic formula to save the season. The thing is, Atlanta United fans are done with promises. They want results. The victory against Charlotte FC was a small step in the right direction, but there’s still a long road ahead. And that road needs to be paved with consistency, a rock-solid defense, and a whole lot more creativity up front.