Atlanta United needed a jolt to kick start their 2026 campaign, and inviting a fellow floundering squad down to Mercedes-Benz Stadium at least meant one of these 0 point teams was leaving with something. Let every joyful voice be heard, as that team was, in fact, Atlanta United. It’s the first win of the season for the Five Stripes, and it was certainly an entertaining one consisting of an attack finally coming alive and a defense that started to solidify. Here are the final whistle thoughts straight from Mercedes-Benz Stadium!
The defensive structure
This was going to be my first point, no matter what. After last week’s disastrous effort against Real Salt Lake, Atlanta United’s defense needed to step up with a stout performance to give this attack more of a chance to gel. Thankfully, we’re talking about a MUCH better defensive effort overall.
Stian Gregersen made a huge difference with his speed and ability to make up for mistakes, even ones of his own making. While Philadelphia had some significant spells of possession, the overall organization of Atlanta’s back line was leaps and bounds beyond anything they’ve shown in 2026. I’m not a big fan of how much possession they allowed Philly in the final 15 minutes plus stoppage, where they pulled back a goal, but that’s more of a matter of fine-tuning than anything.
Atlanta’s opening goal…and the second
Prior to the opening goal, Atlanta had been playing some teasing counter attacks but they all seemed a tick off. The ideas were there, the execution wasn’t, until it was. Elias Baez played a quick pass to Miguel Almiron, who picked out an on running Latte Lath with space to gallop. He was 1v1 with Andre Blake and sent a no-doubter slyly past the keeper to wake up Mercedes-Benz Stadium. It was exactly the type of goal fans have been waiting for with some of the faster attacking players in the league: a quick turnover, a break, and suddenly Atlanta’s cutting the other team open.
The second goal? -chef’s kiss-
The Paraguayan pairing of Miguel Almiron and Matias Galarza started the attack with some quick interchange before the ball was sent across the face of goal. Latte Lath dummied it and Tomas Jacob pulled his best Franco Escobar impression to meet it at the back post. Those free flowing moments are exact what fan’s have been wanting to see.
BUT THAT THIRD GOAL
All three of Atlanta United’s Designated Players getting involved directly? Inject it into my veins, all day err day. Miguel Almiron ended up with three assists, tying the record previously set by one Alan Franco. Latte Lath was involved in every goal, as well, though he won’t get credit for the dummy on the second. He was crucial on the third, as he held up long enough for the rest of Atlanta’s numbers to get forward instead of trying to drive forward in a 1v2. Overall, this was a performance that looked much closer to what was advertised, and no, I don’t care that it was against a really bad team. I’m just happy to be happy, and so are the fans.
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Others have pretty much covered all the main points but to me it was interesting to see the Tata philosophy being slowly implemented. A little was shown in the first game; it kinda went away on the second and it showed sporadically on the third game. Now it can be seen more clearly; not that it will work all the time (Tata got burned a few times in Miami and Atlanta) but much better than previous two coaches. If we can figure how to play under intense pressure then we can go much further.
Totally agree with you. There are things we can see that indicate a coaches influence. And I am excited with what I am seeing. Maybe we have some position that still needs to be improved with personnel, but the attitude and tactics are starting to take shape.
Mentality and consistency is next. So, I don’t care how we do it, we just have to win our next one for confidence and trust in the system.
So happy that latte looks like he lifted a weight off his shoulder with that win. His shush silence celebration and cup over his ear at home, said a lot. I’m hoping that unlocks him to keep scoring.
Glad for the win, and the squad’s play was definitely an improvement, and I expect even more improvement for the DC match. Thankfully, Philly can’t shoot because they had enough chances to make this a draw or a win for Philly (missing that shot at an open net in the 2nd half was worse than missing the penalty).
Agreed there is still improvement to see on defense. It appears it’s a lot about communication over silly mistakes (like the Baez foul that caused the PK, Hoyos coming off his line too much the whole match, gregersons pass directly to the opposition in the 9th minute, or mijah (Baez?) not following Bedoya and no one picking up Westfields run (Jacob?) into the box for the assist on their goal.
But I think those are examples of where Tata is saying they need patience to learn to work together. Hopefully, scoring more goals than the opponent can cover up these mistakes as the team continues to gel.
That felt good. A lot to build on. Definitely not perfect, but scoring goals can fix a lot of problems. I think having the front 3 lined up in that way makes the most sense, and Galarza is a breath of fresh air. At least for now.
Let’s see if this is sustainable and improvements keep happening. That’s the next test. DC should be winnable.
Just as a heads up DC United will be a good test as they are a much improved team with Sean Johnson former keeper for Toronto FC in goal and they also they now have Tai Baribo who was with the PHI Union last season (as the replacement striker for Christian Benteke among others who like to push the ball forward), so it’s not a given win for AU, but yes let’s see if they can build off this win and get a winning streak going instead of a losing streak as has been the case in recent years after a win in March. They played Messi & Co. tough and lost 2-1 already this season.
I’ve always liked Sean, the Atlanta native, I was excited when he was an Atlanta United player for a day, before trading him to NYFC.
DC won’t be a cake walk, but we need to win, and I think we can. Agreed with you. It will be a test of mentality and sustainability for this team.
I don’t think Tata will change much in the line up, which was a good selection given our squad. If anything maybe he goes with Almador (but I don’t think he will).
Agreed and a big sign of consistency with this team will be continuing to make sure that we get #s up the field on a consistent basis from game to game to keep constant pressure on opposing team’s defense and capitalize on putting the ball in the back of the net because as long as Hoyos is in goal that will be a liability where we will need to outscore all opponents which won’t be a guarantee every night and never is. DC has been very good at doing that this season putting pressure on opposing teams backline(s) and being in a threatening position to take advantage of mistakes.
A win is a win, so definitely glad to get the full 3 points, but this match could have easily ended in a draw. The back line was definitely more solid with Gregersen. I think the back line will be better with Amador in place of Baez. I think Baez will get better but he currently is a net zero where he does a lot of good and a lot of bad that just offset each other.
Not sure why you got thumbsdown’d because I actually agree. Philly had several opportunities they didn’t capitalize on and that could have tied or put them ahead. Some luck and some skill went our way in this game and i’m just happy it went our way.
For the first time in what feels like ever – all of our DPs performed well and I’m satisfied 🙂↕️
Specially Miggy: playing on the left sector; like it took over 1 year to play him there?
Wow! Very pleasant Atlanta United game to watch. Walking away with lots of optimism. Appears to be a much improved team today. Absolutely loved the line up and the energy. Team connections looked good things were clicking . Absolutely fantastic work by #10.
Very Happy for LL. LL getting opportunities and shots off , LL’s goal such a boost for him and the team. Crosses being created lovely. Some really good player movement. Ball moved around very well. Happy for Miranchuk, nice shot 1st half , nice finish 2nd, his play seems elevated and presence much more inline with the team. Gregerson showed so very well I do blv he absolutely made a significant difference for the D. # 3 great work overall exception bone headed move in the box for the pk .But the missed pk was a great boost! #55 jacob stellar job END to END gorgeous slide tackle 1st half. # 48 Sanchez great scrappy work, great show like his iq and see why he is out there. #88 good show. Seems marking and organization while in the back 3rd under attack still needs attention. Awkward marking / defensive movement by #4 on the first half philly break away . Overall i thought that was awesome. Totally stoked. The fire was beautiful the TaTa yellow added to the atmosphere.
We sure that dummy was intentional?
I don’t think it was intentional, in real time it just looked like the timing or accuracy was a shade off. But I don’t know for certain, of course. Either way, good by ELL not to put a speculative foot out and great work by Jacob making the back post run and cleaning it up with a nice goal. I feel like we’ve been lacking those back post runs for a few seasons now.
Happy for the win. Still wondering why Hibbert is not playing.
Great offensive peformance. Defense (especially that guy in goal), still shaky at times, but Stian helped a lot especially in the air. Midfield was amazing, especially Sanches and Glarza who were giving energy off the ball all game long. All three goals were just mezmorizing. Like geniune champange football that I have longed for. Also, my Dad came up with an idea for a shirt that someone needs to make ASAP: “That’s Tata Ball Ya’ll.”