Sitting on the proverbial chopping block, Atlanta United traveled up to Nashville in a match that every Atlanta fan was either dreading or praising in reference to their end-of-season hopes. At the moment of this sentence being written, Atlanta doesn’t have a win on the road this season. Nashville is also in the Supporter’s Shield race against the aforementioned Atlanta United, who is legitimately in the Wooden Spoon race, and of course what we just watched is pure, peak MLS. The Five Stripes leave the Music City or Bachelorette City or whatever TF it’s called with a 1-0 because of course. Here are the final whistle thoughts from Nashville!
The SEC started football, coincidence?
Atlanta United really did it in a rivalry match that – before the opening whistle – could’ve been their last meaningful match of the MLS season. However, the soccer gods are akin to Loki and like to play with our emotions, so of course Atlanta United went out and played some real soccer for 90 minutes. Like y’all, the Five Stripes just had their defense hold a golden boot contender to nothing, while snagging a 1-0 win after struggling against Toronto all season.
College football started and apparently Atlanta United remembered it was part of the SEC and decided to go ruin another team’s playof desires.
Alzate
That ball to Ronald Hernandez during the set piece for the lone goal of the game was chef’s kiss, but more importantly, this man found himself in acres of space in the midfield. It was almost surreal, because he was consistently occupying the middle of the park with no Nashville players pressuring him. The problem arose because no Atlanta players really saw him, either, which led to more play down the wings. It was still relatively effective, if not predictable, but I feel Alzate could’ve blown this game wide open if his teammates played him the ball through the center more often.
Either way, really good looks for Steven Alzate’s first start in the league. If he can link up with the rest of the squad more often, coupled with his wonderful through-ball passes, he cold unlock a new level.
We’re winning the cup
Heard it here first.
Not much else to say in this one, other than LFG FIRST AWAY WIN OF THE SEASON, but let us know down below what you thought of the match!
I know people want to give Hibbert all the praise, and rightfully so, but Alzate has done more in a couple games than we’ve seen in several seasons as a proper midfielder. Just like mentioned, if the rest of the team had seen him, it would have opened up so much more.
I only noticed the box score after the game, didn’t listen or watch. Stats say Nashville dominated and likely deserved to win, but perhaps Hibbert stood on his head and we did just enough offensively?
That was kind of my though too, but people told me last night this one is worth watching, so I’m watching it now.
“Dominated” is a strong word. I think NSH looked like the better team probably 60/40, but I think there is generally an expectation that the home team will have that kind of edge. Obviously based on this whole season’s data, we are not well-matched here, but I think we looked it for 90ish minutes.
Yeah, just finished watching. Especially considering it was an away game and our recent form, it was an improvement. Offensively we had some good chances in the first half, kinda dropped off in the second half. However, we were pretty solid defensively all game. There were a couple close chances, but were all handled well by our team and I’d say came about more a result of Nashville building well than poor defending on our part.
Alzate and Hibbert both made huge differences to the way this team looks, as does having Gregersen and Mihaj
Jayden EFFIN Hibbert!!!!💪😁🔥🔥🔥
Oh and #fireMiranchuk
Damn man, can’t even let the boys have the win without your hyper fixated hate on Miranchuk.
Leave it to this organization to once again wake up only on the brink of oblivion. It was a GREAT game from us (even though the xG tell a gloomier story) and I only wish we had a few more of those earlier in the year, in which case we might actually be talking about a play-in spot right now instead of a wooden spoon.
Alzate passes several eye tests. Hibbert looks like a very adequate successor between the sticks. Slisz maintained decent form. Thiare (or Traore, if you’re the Apple announcer) was dynamic and kept Nashville’s back line more honest than they might have had to be against ELL. It may not have been our most complete performance of all time, but for where our line of standards has been drawn in 2025, this was a good one.
Alzate looked very comfortable on the ball but yeah maybe needs a little more time to develop some chemistry with the rest of the team.
YES!
Who injured Muyl? MOTM!
“Gurgleson” based off your typical spelling