A win tastes good, but a rivalry win? *Chef’s kiss*
Ajani Fortune’s first MLS goal was enough to edge Atlanta United over Charlotte in a 1-0 win at Bank of America Stadium on Saturday. The southeastern derby win gives the Five Stripes a crucial three points as it tries to secure a spot in this year’s MLS Cup Playoffs.
Rob Valentino’s starting XI featured just one change from the one that fell 2-0 to Los Angeles Galaxy last week. Dax McCarty was benched to make way for Alexey Miranchuk who made his first start for the Five Stripes.
During the opening stages of the first half, Charlotte found better chances, putting four of its seven shots on target during the first 45 minutes. Momentum seemed to shift as Atlanta grew into the game and ended the half with two of its nine shots on target. Miranchuk really began to show his quality connecting the play in midfield with the front three. It was the heroics of Charlotte goalkeeper Kristijan Kahlina, who made five important saves, that kept the game squared.
Atlanta United built on its momentum from the first half and found the opening goal of the match in the 55th minute through a wonderful low strike by Ajani Fortune. The 21-year-old’s first MLS goal put the Five Stripes ahead 1-0 in the derby.
The concession spurned Charlotte into action and the hosts began to step up its attacking efforts looking for an equalizer that would not come. The Five Stripes defended fiercely and hung on to see out the win.
It wasn’t pretty, but it was a win – that’s all that matters. It feels like Atlanta United is a top-end finisher away from turning these tight games into comfortable wins. The defending was solid and having Miranchuk made some of the movements through midfield more fluid than before.
Atlanta United returns home for another southeastern rivalry on Sept 14 as it hosts Nashville SC in a crucial game for either side’s playoff hopes.
What did you think of the match? Let us know in the comments and fill out your player ratings below.
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I’ve always liked when we put an 8 in that plays more like a 10 than a 6. When we have dual 6’s, it’s like we see that midfield and forget about the other half. And the only move they have is passing. Look at the top tier teams (or even us in years past), when we had an 8 in that could strike as well as distribute in the box, we won games with power. Not sure Jay is the guy, but dude has earned this spot and he took advantage of it. I definitely don’t see Muyumba as it though, i’m getting more and more critical of him.
Also, I really don’t see this as a good example of what Alexy can do so hopefully he turns that around. If this was a highlight reel, i’d be very underwhelmed.
They played 90+ minutes as well as they played the first 60 in LA. The midfield cohesion was top notch. Still less than clinical and wasteful on the final touches in the box, but also unlucky to have the keep play world class football for most of the match.
We know we need to improve at striker. Xande Silva had a quietly good shift. Saba is out of form a bit.
They worked hard and got the job done on the road against a team in a similarly poor form. Pretty good considering the locker room is probably low on morale lately. I’ll take it (but will not make the mistake of saying “we’re back, baby”).
Yeah my fandom certainly isnt back in full force, but I can see why Garth was high on Miranchuk.
I think he can be better for us than Almada. I like how he isnt one to dwell on the ball.
The run in does look favorable. While I wouldnt say Im excited, I am curious to see if Miranchuk can help us climb the table in these last 2 months.
I think Miranchuk does a better job distributing the ball than Almada did, but I don’t know if Miranchuk is capable of playing hero ball when that is needed like Almada did.
He almost certainly isnt capable of that. But I think his strengths are more suited to a budget constrained league like MLS.
I think he can play with anyone and elevates those around him. Not sure I can say the same for Almada.
Time will tell who will ultimately better. Im just saying I think Miranchuk is better for us.
Totally agree. He seems to make the game flow smoothly through the midfield. No ball hogging; no excessive dribbling; quick passing but we were not pressed, so curious to see how he gets out of tight pressing situations. I did not watch his first appearance against LA though.
Defn can be better…maybe not for someone into glitz but a good fit for this league and the club…watching Almada play is like being forced to read a 600 page teen romance novel…plenty of drama but mostly aimless and inconsistent. Looks like his contribution in Botafogo is about what I expected. I do sympathize with him in that I think he got some bad advice about his potential…I’m sure his agent did well in the deal.
And we still underperformed the xG 😀
While I’m still not sure we’re winning 5 games, I am glad you were right and I was wrong on this one.
Yeah this one was one I going for a draw but agreed, definitely will take the win. It helps that Charlotte thought SOG stood for “shots on Guz”
Ha, I like that alternate stat
Unlucky not to have won 3-0. Charlotte’s keeper stood on his head twice. The save of Jamal’s header off of Lennon’s early entry ball (pure Julian Gressel dime into the box) was world class.
You take what you can. And I can’t see Charlotte as a rival.
Agreed on Charlotte not being a rival. There’s zero animosity there and nothing to pin the rivalry on. Plus, we already have Orlando, NYCFC, Philly, and probably a few others you could argue
Yeah, I don’t know why everyone keeps trying to force this rivalry. It doesn’t help that both teams have been average to bad during the entire time.
If I had to pick rivals for us:
The only change I would make is DC instead of NYCFC.
That’s another good one and I should have put them over NYCFC. Definitely one during the 17-19 years. And then they took Gressel. Now somewhat cooled off as both sides just been mehh.
In general, it just feels hard to take any rivalries seriously given how bad we have been.
Fortune and Williams had fantastic matches. Good to see this team get a result on the road against one of our rivals.
Even though I’ve always been a Fortune critic (very negative) I think he is playing farther up, which helps him. I may be wrong but this could be his real position. Having said that, Charlotte didn’t press us, so he had more freedom to operate.