The Five Stripes were forced to share the points after losing an early lead against FC Dallas on Saturday at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
The draw gives Atlanta nine points from seven games and a 2-3-2 record.
Influenced by some additions to the injury list late in the week, Head Coach Ronny Deila made multiple changes to the starting XI. The backline featured fullbacks Matt Edwards and Brooks Lennon and center backs Luis Abram and Stian Gregersen. Tristan Muyumba and Bartosz Slisz were the midfield pairing of choice with Miguel Almiron starting at the No. 10 position for the first time since 2018. Saba Lobjanidze was switched to the right side while Xande Silva slotted in at left wing. Finally, Emmanuel Latte Lath started up top once again.
It was a very even start to the first half, with both teams creating several scoring opportunities. Atlanta United had six shots to Dallas’s five while also maintaining a larger share of the ball (55% possession).
The opener came early for the Five Stripes from a penalty kick that was awarded after Latte Lath was fouled inside the box in the 17th minute. Miguel Almiron put away the spot kick to give Atlanta a 1-0 lead and tie Thiago Almada for the second most regular season goals in club history (23).
The lead lasted until the 60th minute when Petar Musa cannoned a shot into Brad Guzan’s near post. Gregersen managed to get down and block his first attempt, but there was nothing he could do on the rebound.
Despite being overall dominant in holding the ball and creating chances through the final 30 minutes, Atlanta was unable to find the back of the net again and had to settle for a 1-1 draw.
The Five Stripes return to Mercedes-Benz Stadium for the third and final game of this three-match homestand on Saturday to host the New England Revolution at 2:45 pm.
What did you think of the match? Let us know in the comments below.
Dear Atlantistas: my Gremio lost away 2×0 on Saturday, so, the mood here in the household is somewhat similar to the NYSE today. However, I saw a bit of your game. Now, let´s think a little: 9 points in 7 games, playing just one tournament, after having invested a decent sum in players, including the amazing Almiron. Would you not think that, same as the case with Trump´s tariffs, there is something rotten in the kingdom of Denmark?
This was a tough one.
The first thing I want to point out is that Dallas defended well. So did we, for the most part (Acosta was mostly negated), aside from one large lapse that effectively cost us the game.
After games like this, it’s tempting to make changes, even small ones. Amador and Williams will come in when they’re healthy, but last night I saw the most complete performance from us all year. Unfortunately, this performance and miggy/sabas first starts in those positions came against a Dallas side that gave them hardly any space at all. I was wishing we had a right back with Gressels crossing abilities—we used to score so many goals from that. Lennon can’t do it consistently, so I’m hoping Amador can get back into the side soon.
Miranchuk continues to cause lineup building issues. Miggy and Saba should stay in the spots they were last night, so that means Miranchuk goes to the left wing, the 8 or the bench. I don’t see him at left wing (slow), so he either replaces a midfielder or he goes to the bench. I would need more time to see him as the 10 and miggy as left wing.
A game that ends as a tie but feels like a loss always sucks (not to mention the ref, who also sucked). The good news is that we played well almost the whole game. Next week has to be a win.
You guys should try Mira as RW, Miggy at a 10 and Saba at LW. Mira can hug the sideline and deliver the decisive passes/crosses from there. He’s not the fastest, but hugging the sideline gives him time and space to find the runners and or switch the play. Essentially using Mira as a wide playmaker while Miggy and Saba provide the directness with 1v1 take ons through the middle and the left side.
I think that by getting Amador back, we can even play with 2 10s in some way. Saba should stay right wing on paper, but I think Miranchuk in the same general area on the right (which he tends to drift to anyway) would be effective with almiron on the left side and Amador as the wide left to actually provide the crosses that no one else seems to be able to do (except Miranchuk, who can do that from the right side as we saw last night)
I am willing to try something different with Miranchuk. I don’t believe he added anything last night when he came in. I am getting more and more disillusioned with his play in general. Last night there were at least two occasions where a pass was coming to him, he just stood there waiting for it, and a defender intercepted it. If he had taken two steps towards the ball in either situation he would have retained possession.
In addition, he needs too much time on the ball for either a pass or a shot. when he gets that time, he can be very effective. But, not surprisingly, defenders are moving quickly to shut him down.
Was the Thiare foul truly a foul? From the stands, it looked like the defender got caught up in his own feet.
It certainly did – even on the replay on the Halo Board. Thiare was through and would have scored – and I thought that in 50/50 situations, the ref is suppose to let it play out and then use VAR. Can a ref get a red card for DOGSO?
Don’t know why refs do this. All that a defender has to do is to drop to the ground regardless and they get the call. Watching the replay I could not see Thiare even touching him
FWIW, the radio guys thought it was a horrendous call. Their initial reaction is always AU-biased, but they do look at replays afterwards and change their minds occasionally. They did not change their mind on that one, though.