Well, win streaks aren’t for everyone.
Atlanta United could not build momentum after its victory over the Philadelphia Union last weekend, instead leaving with a 0-0 draw against visiting D.C. United on Saturday.
The point gives Atlanta four points from five games and a 1-3-1 record. It is currently 9th in the Eastern Conference.
Head Coach Tata Martino opted to run it back with an identical starting XI to the one that defeated Philadelphia Union 3-1 last weekend. Lucas Hoyos started in goal behind a backline formed by center backs Enea Mihaj and Stian Gregersen and fullbacks ElÃas Báez and Tomás Jacob. Tristan Muyumba returned as the single pivot in midfield, flanked by MatÃas Galarza on the left and Cooper Sanchez on the right. Finally, the three designated players formed the attacking trident: Miguel Almirón on the left, Alexey Miranchuk on the right and Emmanuel Latte Lath as the center forward.
The Five Stripes were in control from the start, dominating possession and creating several chances early in the match. The team won a remarkable number of second balls, contributing to its ability to keep the ball and dictate the game. Despite Atlanta’s persistence, it was unable to get on the scoreboard during the first 45 minutes.
Hardly anything got better in the second half. In fact, the passing quality seemed to drop even more as the visitors grew into the game. The Five Stripes found it difficult to sustain the high tempo they brought into the first half and the mistakes began to come out of the woodwork.
Despite chances flying both ways, neither team could break the deadlock and the match ended in a scoreless draw.
This was a big drop from the dynamic attacking display against Philadelphia, and there are some factors that may have contributed. First, D.C.’s style of defensive play was very much suited to a game against an Atlanta side that looks to hit hard in transition. Atlanta was forced to break the visitors down slowly and just couldn’t put the entire puzzle together.
Also, the grass quality may explain some of the errant touches and poor passing on display. The playing surface was noticeably browner than it was during the home opener a couple of weeks ago. There were several brown patches on the field and large swaths of dead grass on the sidelines. This could have caused additional friction that the players were not anticipating.
After the international break, Atlanta United returns to action when it hosts the Columbus Crew at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Saturday, April 4 at 7:30 pm ET. As always, follow Scarves and Spikes for more Atlanta United and MLS coverage.
What did you think of the match? Let us know in the comments below.
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I am enjoying watching this Atlanta much more than last years so far, that’s for sure.
I would have liked to see Tata do some earlier subs…he’s waiting too damn long to swap players out. Look at the opportunities DC had when they did their subs. Feels like he doesn’t have confidence in his sub options because he’s choosing the same ones and getting the same output. Switch things up, try something new.
Especially earlier in the season, when players are still fully ramping up. I think it would be better to get fresh legs in earlier. For some reason Tata does not sub players until around 70 min instead of around 60 min.
If this coach was smarter and less stubborn and bias, he might put better player on the field.
……ELL…
Galarza…………..alviron
….myumba…….Sanchez
…. jacob….
Biaz/almador. #4….. gergesen….edwards
…………….hibbert……
If the other team gives you possession and plays defense then you can’t expect to slowly work it up the field looking for an opening. I would have hoped we started playing riskier in the attacking third with low chance shots and passes since DC really wasn’t in a position to provide much of a counter. We don’t get points for winning possession
The initial view I had on this was it looked like they were trying to draw them out of that low block they were doing but it wasn’t working. They were staying very compact as a wall.
Glass half full. Clean sheet
Glass half empty. We didn’t score
you can’t possess the ball for more than 70% of the match and end in a 0-0 tie. Also, most of our attack build up was through the left side for good chunk of the match. If it isn’t working, maybe try something else?
DC pretty much parked the bus. Every time they tried to move right side, DC swarmed it, and it required Jacob or Miranchuk to win some 1v1 or 2v1s in order to produce a chance. Pretty much DC forced it to go left, then cut off Miggy’s downchannel options so he had to cut inside on his right foot. It was very good defense by DC at the expense of pretty much any chance they had for offensive output.
All that said, I completely agree that instead of taking what DC obviously wanted to give to you, they should’ve tried changing things up. Taking more shots outside of the box I think would’ve been a good thing, just to try to force DC to come out of their shell a bit.
agree we should have started taking some longer distance shots. Miranchuk had a couple looks that he should have attempted.
100% agree. In this league a draw on the road is pretty much a win. If teams with solid defenses but limited attacking prowess can park it like DC did and take a point, why wouldn’t they?
Actually, you can…and happens often…
Can’t wait for a roster overhaul. Please sell Miranchuk to Lokomotiv. Miggy is not Maradona so quit playing absolutely everything through him, too predictable.. Latte Lath looks Latte Lost. Hoyos does not inspire confidence. Jacob and Baez seem to have some game, and I look forward to seeing more of Fafa and Galarza. Another drab season it seems. Need to be racking up points in this home stretch.
Yes
Remember, Philly was playing on short rest.
Positive is we didnt give up two goals. This time last year we needed 3 goals to win a game. I felt
Overall performance was good but couldnt create the 1 goal needed to win. Almiron did not get on the ball enough but last game gave hope offensively…this game gives hope defensively. Hoyos actually had ridiculous save or we lose this and i had thought he was an issue. We need a 6 even if this was muyumbas best game and we need dos to be consistently better.
and after a week’s rest, Philly lost again – basically, at this point Philly is just a bad team, so we shouldn’t take much from that win other than we are heading in the right general direction (and identifying some much needed changes)