The temporary euphoria of Wednesday night’s victory over Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami quickly evaporated as the Five Stripes returned to the harsh reality of its 2024 season with a 3-2 loss to visiting Charlotte FC.
The loss leaves Atlanta United (4-8-4) 13th in the Eastern Conference with 16 points. It is eight points from a playoff spot, three points from a play-in spot and six points from the bottom.
Gonzalo Pineda rolled out a starting lineup that was identical to the one that defeated Inter Miami 3-1 on the road on Wednesday. Despite being back from suspension, Brad Guzan started the game on the bench while Josh Cohen was given his second MLS start between the posts. Stian Gregersen, Derrick Williams and Luis Abram formed the back three with Caleb Wiley and Brooks Lennon flanking on either side as wing backs. Dax McCarty and Tristan Muyumba held down the midfield in Bartosz Slisz’s absence. Thiago Almada, who was handed the armband for a second straight match, was deployed on the left wing opposite Saba Lobjanidze on the right. Finally, Jamal Thiaré led the line as a single striker.
The Five Stripes set the tone for the game early with a barrage of early chances. Throughout the first half, Atlanta dominated with three of its nine shots on target compared to one of the visitors’ two. Charlotte set itself defensively to absorb Atlanta’s repeated attacks and strike on the counterattack.
The hosts opened the scoring in the derby as a Lobjanidze cutback deflected off a Charlotte defender and found Almada whose shot flew past Kristijan Kahlina to put Atlanta up 1-0 after 36 minutes. The Argentine took off his shirt to reveal a birthday message to his mother.
The Five Stripes weren’t ahead for long, however. Just four minutes later, a Charlotte corner kick rebounded off Williams and bounced toward the goal. Cohen cleared it, but the referee was called to the monitor before deciding that the ball had crossed over the line, giving Charlotte an equalizer from an own goal before the end of the half.
The visitors built off of their momentum from the end of the first half with the go-ahead goal in the 56th minute after Liel Abada fired a shot from distance into the bottom corner. Twelve minutes later, he’d get his brace after receiving the ball completely unmarked inside the box and firing past Cohen to extend Charlotte’s lead.
The Atlanta United struck back in the 76th minute as Xande Silva, making an appearance off the bench, fired a curling shot into the far corner to cut the visitors’ lead back down to one. It was game on in the Benz with less than 15 minutes to go.
Despite the many chances it had throughout the game, the Atlanta United couldn’t make up the difference and the referee’s whistle signaled yet another disappointing result for the Five Stripes.
The momentum from a big, midweek victory didn’t last and it is clear that something needs to change in this team for it to even get close to the expectations laid out for it to start the season. It now has 12 days until its next game against Houston Dynamo at home. Needless to say, it needs to make those 12 days count.
What did you think of the match? Let us know in the comments and fill out your player ratings below.
Is it not obvious, by now? The mere fact that Bocanegra and Pineda still have jobs displays the complete and utter disregard the FO has for the fan base…of course, like farm animals the 17’s will line up single file at MBS to attend the 6th consecutive loss at home. This entire season is a disgraceful humiliation – from players to coach to FO. I am done!!!
We have 8 losses through 16 games. We had 9 losses all last season. I thought we were supposed to be better this year?
Don’t know what to say. Good line up to start, great chances created; should’ve been up by 3 at least. Then we collapse. I really hoped Cohen was going to be one of those that steals goals from the opposition but evidently he is not. I praise Pineda for trying something different but somehow we can’t orchestrate a win. We need a change, anything. Well, we’ve tried just about every player, different formations, different kits, different hairdos, open roof, so what’s left?
Let’s change cleats and see how that works. Oh wait, Almada changed his cleats and many other players have throughout the season. Yep, it’s official. We are screwed.
That first giveaway goal was pure ATLUTD. Never seen that type of OG in my life. The 2nd goal was a great shot. The 3rd goal was hot stank defense, ATLUTD style. What an embarrassing mess. Pineda is absolutely not the answer. Time to move on.
I said it in the match thread and I’ll say it here. When you’re straight up gifted chances like we were in the first 10 min, and you don’t finish them, you’re never going to win. Saba’s attempt from the freebie pass was horrendous. A U14 player would’ve scored that.
I don’t want to see Cohen start another game either. There’s zero reason he should’ve gotten the start tonight given the way Guz has been playing.
This team and club are beyond frustrating.