The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step, or something. Atlanta United welcomed Nashville SC to the Benz in an attempt to snap a three game losing streak, and things initially looked pretty positive. Miguel Almiron had his moments at the number 10 – directly leading to a goal – before the Five Stripes promptly put their foot on the breaks and lost the tempo of the match entirely. The end result? A 1-1 draw…so at least the scoreless streak is over. Here are the final whistle thoughts live from Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Miguel Almiron at the 10
This always had the potential to be a vindicating moment for a lot of folks. After seeing Miggy get time back in the central attacking midfield role during Atlanta’s wild comeback vs NYCFC a few weeks ago, fans have been clamoring for it to happen again. Admittedly, we’ve been advocating it on Scarves and Spikes for quite some time, and our very own Henry Higuita Jr has written two articles on the topic. And it isn’t a nostalgia thing, though that is a tasty cherry on top. It’s simply because it places Almiron in his best position where he’s most active on the ball. Miggy active on the ball is usually a good thing for the Five Stripes, and the early signs in this match vs Nashville were very positive.
Miggy’s creativity in the attack coupled with his desire and ability to both progress the ball and win it back if lost helped keep Atlanta United on the front foot throughout most of the first half. Thankfully his work paid off in the form of a tap-in goal to break the scoreless streak, and took tons of pressure of a team who had a hellish month of April. Do it more, and stay consistent over 90 minutes.
Chemistry
This has been another point of contention all season. In the past few games, players have appeared lost, confused, and simply not in sync with each other. Even in giving up a second half goal, the team never looked completely like 11 guys who’ve never met each other. There are certainly other issues with how the team conceded, but they were at least better with their cohesion. When Nashville was in possession, Atlanta moved as a unit to shut down passing lanes and frustrate a team that dropped 7 on Chicago a week ago.
Unfortunately, it would be a Nashville set piece that equalized the game in the second half. By that point, Atlanta had become lax and their aggression seemed to have waned. That isn’t so much a chemistry problem as it is an issue with controlling tempo, but that itself is a problem Atlanta has struggled with for quite some time. Silver linings.
Tempo
I genuinely feel like this team has trouble controlling the tempo of matches. They had a lead for the first time in a very long stretch and kinda sorta tried dictating the speed, but it never felt like the Five Stripes were in control. They attempted to slow down and draw Nashville in, but it seemed they were stuck in purgatory between wanting to play on the front foot and wanting to stretch Nashville out by making them chase. In the second half this simply turned into playing long balls, losing possession, and allowing Nashville space and time to be dangerous. Atlanta could only bend so much, and they finally broke…off a set piece.
Let us know below what you thought of the match.
First, Tyler thanks for the free shot. Needed your help. Like others have said, first half not great but also not bad. Second half: what happened? They just dominated us, we didn’t have a solution. How can we be outplayed like that? Still not impressed with Miranchuk at 8; just don’t see the “maestro” label in any portion of his game. I think MLS is too fast for him.
Miranchuk looked lost again in this game, even at the 8. It was like he and Klich played dual 6, which I don’t agree with. If we have our 4 attackers up top, 4 defensive backs, then we need to have our 6 help the backs and our 8 help our attack…and he just always seemed out of place. And then he gets the ball and gives up easy giveaways? The maestro doesn’t do that.
Miranchuk is the latest in a list of bad signings. I also predict Miggie will join the list. Too much money, too long of contract for an aging, one-footed player with his game built on speed.
Unfortunately, yes…and, unlike some of our— decent but toxic signings (looking at you GG…the trajectory at Cruz Azul fits the pattern), I’m a Miggie fan…but alas…yeah…
What specifically doesn’t he look good at? I don’t disagree, however he is pretty darn good at picking out a pass, and I thought was decent maintaining possession under pressure. But doesn’t dribble with the ball well and isn’t really a scoring threat, and isn’t fast.
He gave up several passes to the other team, he didn’t really control the ball or set the tempo, he didn’t find himself getting into spaces to get the ball up from the back line (our back line had the ball a lot this game) and those are all good qualities of a “maestro” 8. he was none of those.
I think your last sentence shows how he is a bad DP signing.
That shot turned out to be just the thing, I should’ve had one too 🤣 Thanks for coming out!
The way the team turned off after about 35 minutes is going to be dissected…heavily. It’s wild how the switch was just flipped.
2026 is our year!
Nashville is a good team. The positives I see are this. 1). Our coach finally put Miggy as the #10 and it’s clear that this results in a better team. Don’t change this!!! 2). The first half was solid – use that as motivating factor moving forward. 3). Going down 1 on a set piece, while frustrating, is explainable (it happens). 4). The team showed heart and fought hard (super happy about that). 5). Finally – we scored and didn’t lose!
Look – we all want to win NOW and dream of better days for the team, but I’m walking away with a smile and some hope. This was much better than the past several games and I have no complaints.
Keep it up!
Well said.
I just HOPE we keep improving. We’ll see next week
not saying we played well, but it didn’t help that we barely got calls going our way from the ref. it mostly went against us…like we don’t even get a broadcast replay on a possible handball? and how does Nashville get a corner kick when they head the ball out of bounds…come on, at least give us a fair chance
It was really surprising that the TV crew showed no replays on that handball. Seemed obvious from the run of play and of course a big storyline. I’m continually disappointed in the announcers capability
it was kind of wild. when the announcers said the players were indicating handball, I assumed they would show a replay, but basically after the yellow card they just said the ref signaled play on. I am not for conspiracy theories, but that is very sketchy.
I presume VAR would be doing their reviews and likely chirped for him to play on. Even with the luxury of all the review tech, I’m sure they make mistakes sometimes and might not have been enough visual to warrant in that case but very much doubt the MLS VAR is in the business of cheating.
I don’t disagree. I just think it is very odd that they did not review it on the broadcast. Usually the broadcast would show the replay of the potential incident at least once to put it to bed.
One goal in four games!
Or a 100% increase in goals scored and a 200%+ increase in ‘goals against’ the past four games. The team needs some positives and to believe in themselves. They put in a good effort today. I’m not taking that away from them. A hard fought draw against a very good team.
Absolutely! We’re now a moral victory team! And this was a moral victory.
Well, it is what it is. Not saying I like where we are, but it’s the only positives I have. If you want to stay in your negatively, I hope for our club’s sake, you enjoy it alone tonight!
Yep, sorry. But that’s where I am. Positivity is running out for me. I’ve worn my fingers raw trying to polish this turd.
Trust me, I get it. My wife says I’m the happiest pessimist she’s ever known, so I’m trying to force good fortune with words of optimism for both myself and our club.
Cheers!
Username checks out
The first 30 mins was great and the next 60 mins we were thoroughly outplayed. We could have lost this 1-3 if not for Guzman heroics.
And the Abram tackle. Saved a for sure goal
Wretched. Pitiful.
Dispossessed with ease
Slow on the counter
Lennon is a joke and waste of space
The midfield can’t hold possession
Miranchuk, Slisz, Lennon can all sit out
No urgency in the play
No imagination in attack
Minimal shots on goal, if any, in 2nd
Lennon had an assist, and was responsible for several moves and overloads up the right side. I’m really not sure what else people are expecting out of our fullbacks. Sure, i’d like to see him attack more often but that can’t always happen if our midfield isn’t in support. I do agree, the midfield needs to be better, but the hate for Lennon seems very unwarranted.
Lennon assist….hehe. Off target shot that just happened to have someone standing there. But yeah if he doesn’t hit it then it doesn’t happen.
Lennon just can’t beat anyone 1v1 on offense and isn’t a great defender. He’s probably a really great guy and works really hard at practice. He’s a role player and not a super star. Yet people act like he’s Roberto Carlos.
Outcoached again in the second half. That or the players just arent that good.
Probably a mix of both, as evidenced by Fortune at LW. I’m glad to see him get the start, but c’mon.
Welp. At least we’re back to where we were earlier this season, strong first half (that looked well put together, I’ll add, not messy chaos that we managed to turn into goals) but horrible second half. We’re going in the right direction again, just need to make it a trend and not a blip.