Atlanta United lost to the New England Revolution 1-0 today at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. George Campbell made his first career start in MLS, Machop Chol made his second consecutive start, and Amar Sejdic made his debut with the club. The Revs beat the five stripes for the first time in Atlanta behind a goal from Gustavo Bou.
In the 13′ minute, Marcelino Moreno put his laces through the ball from around 30 yards out and forced New England goalkeeper Brad Knighton to make a diving save.
In what initially looked like a handball, Revs forward Adam Buksa fell to the pitch when trying to receive a cross in the box. He was able to control the ball and get to his feet, saw a trailing Bou and laid the ball off. Bou took advantage of an off-balance George Campbell and beat the keeper to his left for the first goal of the match.
The five stripes mounted an almost immediate response with a sliding goal from youngster Machop Chol, but he was found to be offside when waiting for the cross.
Josef will start tomorrow with the group.”
Gabriel Heinze
Chol’s two attempts on goal and Moreno’s long distance effort were the only true chances Atlanta had at scoring in 90+ minutes. Their lack of attack is noticeable but it’s not because of effort, it’s because they need an actual threat at the striker position and Erick “Cubo” Torres is not it. But you can’t say the same for Gabbe.
“So you think just because a player doesn’t score we change him?” said Gabriel Heinze after the match. “I like to give a lot of confidence, I like to give support to my players. Cubo is not the bad one here, I’m the bad one here. You can say that the coach is bad but not the player.”
This of course comes after the drama that took place this week after a riff between Heinze and Atlanta United superstar Josef Martinez came to light. He has been practicing away from the team, on his own, for weeks now. A report just last night claimed Martinez told the front office that this would be his last season with the club. Today’s tune was much different from Gabbe. “Josef will start tomorrow with the group. [For Wednesday’s match] I need to see how he is right now and if he’s fit. I had a conversation with Josef, he will be back and help us to go through this moment.”
He also mentioned he wasn’t worried about the front office watching him, his job being in jeopardy, and wouldn’t budge on why he separated Martinez from the pack in the first place.
Atlanta (2-4-7, 13 points) returns to action Wednesday, July 21 against FC Cincinnati at TQL Stadium (8 p.m., FS1, Sports Radio 92-9 The Game, La Mejor).
-Jon J.
Photo: Courtesy of ATL UTD