Just three days after the D.C. fiasco, the five stripes looked to get back on track after a quick turnaround to Philadelphia. There, United would face the Union, lead by Alejandro Bedoya.
With midfielder Carlos Carmona serving a one-match suspension (yellow cards accumulation), midfielder Chris McCann was handed his first league start of the season. Meanwhile, manager Tata Martino added an extra wrinkle to the offense by bringing Yamil Asad into the center of the park and pushing Almirón out to the wing.
For those unfamiliar with football, one of the most important variables that can affect form is a ‘break.’ Before the most recent break, United’s high-power offense was being carried by Miguel ‘Miggy’ Almirón and Josef Martinez. But since that break, we haven’t seen much out of either player. Miggy still has the pace and the line of sight but hasn’t found the net. Martinez is in the same boat and tonight was no different, as he sat in the final third most of the match simply pressing the Union’s backline.
Atlanta found themselves trailing 2-0 in the first 25′ of the match. Revenge came after that second goal when Yamil Asad launched a howler into the top netting just two minutes after Bedoya scored the Union’s second goal.
As per the usual lately, United found a way to battle back in the closing minutes of the match to bring it level 2-2. That second goal came from Tyrone Mears, who was subbed on in the second half. The long-range header in stoppage time saved what could’ve been a disastrous away run.
Shots: 18-13 Atlanta
Shots on Target: 6-5 Philadelphia
Corner kicks: 7-5 Atlanta
Fouls committed: 18-13 Philadelphia
Saves: 4-3 Atlanta
Clearances: 22-7 Philadelphia
Offside: 2-1 Atlanta
Possession: 68-32 Atlanta
Passing Accuracy: 86-67 Atlanta
Atlanta (10-8-6, 36 points) returns to action Sunday, Sept. 10 when the club makes its debut at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, taking on FC Dallas. Kickoff is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. and will be televised nationally on FS1.
-Jon J.