Atlanta United at New England Revolution: Only one team showed up

That was poor, and the numbness is the worst part. Atlanta United falling 4-1 to New England Revolution, after the prior two matches, is nothing more than wretched. The consolation goal does nothing to help analyze this match, nor does it make fans feel anything more than the aforementioned lidocaine shot this team has turned into. No sugarcoating here, this was a miserable watch, and woooooooooooo boy does the front office need to shake things up ASAP. Final whistle thoughts from somewhere in Massachusetts, down below. Bring a cold drink, because it’s hot as hell down here in at the bottom of the pile.

At the moment, there are no redeeming qualities

Let’s face it, this team holds an absurd tendency to play poorly and still find ways to make it worse. Moral victories are nonexistent, and any summer transfers can’t get here soon enough. But can a handful of transfers fix this dumpster fire? Maybe, we’ve seen it in MLS before multiple times, but the fans rightfully lack trust in the front office. The various transfer rumors floating around, including that of Darwin Nunez and Breel Embolo, are positive signs, but Mauricio Culebro and Chris Henderson have to swing for the absolute fences to get this team back on track. A rumor on a defensive midfielder would hit like crack.

And that’s not even including the clear cultural reset that the squad needs. There lies within this club a culture of losing, a wound that was struck long ago and which has festered into apathy. That’s not to say players are stepping onto the pitch on a weekly basis not caring, but this cut runs much deeper, and personnel changes are only half the battle.

Carles Gil

I fully expected Carles Gil to score against Atlanta United tonight, because he basically always does. He’s been a massive thorn in Atlanta’s side for what feels like every meeting between the two sides, and tonight was no different. His goal came from some dribbly boi work against Tristan Muyumba before cutting in to his left and placing one exquisitely past Lucas Hoyos.

For that to be the first goal of the match, only to be followed shortly after by another New England goal, was exactly the start Atlanta was hoping to avoid for the second match in a row. I guess it’s encouraging to see another team’s number 10 be a game changer, though, because it reminds me that at least success is out there, however far away.

There’s only up from here?

This loss puts Atlanta United dead last in the entire league. Last. Bottom. The basement. The well. Wooden Spoon well within grasp.

After 17 matches, the Five Stripes have a grand total of 12 points. They’re quite literally walking through hell and pissing away any goodwill the World Cup brought. The summer transfer window may yet help this team in the long run, but it’s tough to see this season redeemable. Mauricio Culebro and Chris Henderson have both spoke about bringing in players who will be instant improvements to the team and also be long term investments who change the squad for the better. The pressure is well and truly on, because every performance like the one tonight simply drives fans closer to true apathy…at least the ones who aren’t already living between a rock and a hard place.

Emotions have to be entirely removed from the decision making, and the changes have to be swift. I mean, how else can you look at it? If MLS has promotion and relegation, Atlanta would’ve been relegated last year and be well on the way to it this year. Don’t be Sunderland. Be 2018 Atlanta United and get right.

Let us know below what you thought of this crap show.