After 14 miserable games of the 2026 season, I think we’re all ready for a break.
Ahead of the league-side pause for the FIFA World Cup, the Five Stripes failed to show any signs of life as they fell 2-0 to the Columbus Crew on Sunday at ScottsMiracle-Gro Field.
The defeat keeps Atlanta in 14th place in the Eastern Conference with 11 points and a 3-9-2 record.
After a humiliating 4-1 loss at the hands of Orlando City in the US Open Cup quarterfinals midweek, head coach Tata Martino made multiple changes to his starting lineup. He returned to the 4-3-3 and deployed a backline of Elias Baez, Juan Berrocal, Enea Mihaj and Tomas Jacob. Tristan Muyumba replaced Will Reilly as the single pivot in a midfield three alongside Jay Fortune and Cooper Sanchez. Finally, Luke Brennan, Alexey Miranchuk and Saba Lobjanidze made up the attacking trident.
Things looked rough from the start, with the hosts overwhelmingly dominant through the first 30 minutes of the match, allowing them to take an early lead in the 24th minute after a quick counterattack ended in a first MLS goal for Guinean midfielder Sekou Bangoura.
Diego Rossi doubled the Crew’s lead just before halftime with a sensational strike that capped off another great transition move.
With MLS taking a nearly two-month break for the FIFA World Cup, Atlanta United will not return to action until July 17, when it visits GEODIS Park to face the reigning US Open Cup champion and current leader in the Supporters’ Shield race, Nashville SC.
What did you think of the match? Let us know in the comments.
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Not sure how much trading goes on during a WC international window, but we need at least 6 starters – time to sell or trade at a major loss to clear room.
… Do we have to actually come back after the WC break?