Atlanta United goes on break this week. They could use it.
The team is struggling, losing four consecutive games since July 12. The last game the team gave up, could have sent them to the League’s Cup, but they wound up losing to Cruz Azul after a kick-off that saw the Stripes coming up one goal short.
It was hard work just getting to the shootout. The team gave up a goal in the 20th minute. Thiago Almada equalized in the 75th minute, leading to the game-deciding kickoff that Atlanta led at first, but slipped behind and lost in the sixth round. No League’s Cup for the Five Stripes this year.
The game looks even more flustrating considering Atlanta United at least on paper outperformed Cruz Azul in several key factors. Shots 15-6, shots on target 4-3, time of possession 60% to 40%, pass accuracy 66 to 76. One extra goal could have changed the outcome of the game. Getting it was an uphill battle all throughout the game at home in the Benz.
The Five Stripe’s next game is far in the distance, on August 20th. This should give the team enough time to figure out what’s not working and what to do about it before they play the Seattle Sounders and their other nine forthcoming games. They will need to win most of these games to have a shot at the playoffs and possibly win its second MLS Championship.