Atlanta United open season with a resounding loss

Houston Foward Alberth Elis breaks free from the Atlanta United defense.

Atlanta United open the season with a lackluster performance that resulted in resounding 4-0 loss in Houston. The loss was the most lopsided in the club’s short history and the second worse in coach Geraldo “Tata” Martino’s career.

The Houston Dynamo front line quickness exposed the Atlanta back line and moved with ease through the midfield. Dynamo coach Wilmer Cabrera made a tactical change going to a 4-2-3-1 to apply more pressure on the Atlanta defense. The change worked wonderfully as the Dynamo used their speed to break down the Atlanta defense all afternoon. If not for some fine work from Atlanta goalkeeper Brad Guzan, the score line could have been much worse.

Houston started off quickly at home, as they have done for the past year under Cabrera, with the first goal in the 5th minute. Dynamo defender Philippe Senderos sent a long ball from midfield to open space to forward Alberth Elis. Elis then used his speed and strength to power through the Atlanta United defender Leandro Gonzalez Pirez challenge to set-up the easy tap in by Andrew Wenger for the first goal.

.@alberthelis17 ➡️ @andrewwenger

The goal that put the host ahead early. #HOUvATL https://t.co/3rdzm3E93M

— Major League Soccer (@MLS) March 3, 2018

The second goal exposed one of Atlanta’s struggles: the set piece. In the 23rd minute Houston doubled their lead on a set piece that left Senderos one of two men being marked on the back post by Atlanta defender Jeff Larentowicz. Senderos rose and headed a splendid header into the corner just out of reach of Guzan.

Rise above, @Philsend4! #HOUvATL https://t.co/osphgdAP0E

— Houston Dynamo (@HoustonDynamo) March 3, 2018

Quickly after the second goal, the Dynamo pushed the lead from safe to rout with a goal in the 27th minute. The Dynamo high press combined with awful defensive shape from United lead to a goal from forward Mauro Manotas.

.@MauroManotas19 for threeeeee!!!!! #HOUvATL https://t.co/PSKt9aqmWO

— Houston Dynamo (@HoustonDynamo) March 3, 2018

At this point the rout was on. To add injury to insult, United defender Gonzalez-Pirez went out with a hip contusion in the 41st and replaced by Michael Parkhurst. The Atlanta defense seemed to regain some composure and structure with team captain Parkhurst on the field. Parkhurst who is still looking to regain fitness from a preseason injury was not started.

Houston rounded out the scoring when newcomer Darwin Cerén collected his first goal from another set piece poorly defended by Atlanta. The punch clearance from Guzan was directed in front of the goal, allowing Cerén a clean strike into an empty goal.

HT: It doesn't get much better for @HoustonDynamo.@CerenDarwin scores on his debut to make it 4-0. #HOUvATL https://t.co/XnbrxVHL5e

— Major League Soccer (@MLS) March 3, 2018

The half mercifully ended down only 4-0, it could have been much worse. Problems remained for the five stripes, as they were not able to close down Elis. He created havoc for the Atlanta defense all afternoon. Tata Martino state after the match, “It looks like we struggled with defending the ball and we struggled on the 1-v-1 defensively. We struggled in stopping Elis when he had the space; and we committed a lot of individual errors where we basically invited our opponent to finish the game.”

Parkhurst also chimed in on the havoc created by Elis, “He is a very good player. He is probably one of the best wingers in this league and too many times we were isolated one on one with too much space. When we were isolated, we weren’t able to make the play.”

The #Dynamo front 3 in #HOUvATL:

Wenger: 1 goal, 1 assist, 3 key passes, 2/2 dribbles
Manotas: 1 goal, 4 shots, 2 KP, 4/4 dribbles
Elis: 1 assist, 3 shots, 2 KP, 6/7 dribbles

Elis didn't score, but was a constant threat with pace, power, skill.#ForeverOrange #MLSisBack ??? pic.twitter.com/usrUIBuHe0

— Jason Foster (@JogaBonito_USA) March 3, 2018

The second half was better, Parkhurst noted that, “We need to do a better job of denying their better players the ball and like we did in the second half – get more guys around and help each other out a little more. We didn’t do that enough in the first half. [In the second half there was] more communication. More commitment. A better desire to win the ball and play stronger.”

Houston still had scoring opportunities in the second half, but they were limited to three shots on goal versus the ten in the first half. United also tighten up the corner limited them to three in the second half from the five from the first half.

Martino also stated that he thought the offensive was not the issue, “Offensively, we probably created as many scoring situations as Houston did.” Which was accurate with both teams 13 shots on goal, however, Houston was more clinical in their finish with 10 shots on target and four goals. Atlanta had their chances offensively to make the match more competitive. Atlanta mid-fielder Miguel Almirón had a clean opportunity just before half when the score was still 3-0 and missed wide. He also had a penalty kick in the second half to pull one back and missed off the post.

To all #ATLUTD fans out there, we have food, supplies…#HOUvATL pic.twitter.com/BSEyWqwivh

— fuboTV soccer (@fuboTVsoccer) March 3, 2018

What is clear from this match is that although much attention has been focused on the acquisitions of Ezequiel Barco and Darlington Nagbe, there is a need for adjustment in the defensive midfield and additional depth at center back. Atlanta has it’s work cut out this week in training as they prepare for D.C. United, a team they have not beaten yet.