A goal from Jonathan Mensah secures a road win for Crew
ATLANTA, GA—Atlanta United hosted Columbus Crew at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in front of more than 67,000 fans. Josef Martínez started for the first time since May 27th, 57 days ago. It was the first match at home since the club since the departure of Gabriel Heinze, under interim Coach Rob Valentino. The result was the same, a 0-1 loss to the Columbus Crew.
Here are three thoughts on the match and going forward.
Winless in ten straight.
The loss marks a new club record for matches without a win: 10. During that stretch, they were have lost five and drawn five, and failed to score a goal in five matches. They have lost two in a row at home and have failed to score at home in the last three matches. The on-field results have
Atlanta United’s Jake Mulraney moves past Pedro Santos of the Columbus Crew in action on Saturday afternoon July 24th, in Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
The road ahead provides no respite.
The next three matches are on the road against in-conference teams above the playoff line. They travel to third-place Orlando City, then Montreal, and finally Columbus. Once they return home to Mercedes Benz, their next two opponents are LAFC and Toronto. Already six points below the playoff line, they cannot afford to more points.
Atlanta United mid-field Marcelino Moreno looks for space to create a chance. Moreno had 87 touches and took three shots, all on target on Saturday afternoon July 24th at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
The on-field performance has been more dynamic since the coaching change.
Over the first thirteen MLS matches, they were shut out 5 times, average a mere 1.02 xG (expected goals) on 12.08 shots per match. The club dominates possession of the ball but fails to translate that possession into meaningful chances or shots on goal.
In the two matches since the departure of Heinze, the play has been more dynamic in the final third. The xG has improved to 1.80 and they had 22 shots mid-week against FC Cincinnati and 19 against the Crew. They have had more than 19 shots only once when they had 20 against Philadelphia at home on June 20th.
The new coach bump has not happened as the results have not changed. However, the play has become more dynamic, the statistic validates the sense gained from watching the last two matches that the offensive attack has become more lively. Now to turn the corner, the ball needs to find the back of the net.
Columbus Crew mid-fielder Darlington Nagbe returns to Atlanta where he was a member of the 2018 MLS Cup-winning squad under Tata Martino.
For more images from the match check out the photo gallery by Prost Amerika photographer Jim Stapp here.
