DC United’s loss to Atlanta highlights home issues, offensive woes

Because the team is in transition, United (4-8-7) appears to have trouble earning points on the road. But he’s also having a tough time at home – and lately against opponents with losing records.

In total, United have gone seven matches without a win since visiting Atlanta on May 11.

“It’s a tough position to be in right now,” Lesesne said. “Everyone is frustrated – that’s clear – but at the same time we’re not doing enough to get points, and that’s the truth. We must demand more.

Thiago Almada, a member of Argentina’s 2022 world champion team, scored a sensational long-range goal in the 79th minute after playing with Mateusz Klich and Matti Peltola.

DC has gone scoreless in its last two matches and has led once in seven games.

“Every time we go around the box, I feel like we’re rushing and we end up making the wrong decision,” said Christian Benteke, who entered the night as MLS’ second-leading scorer with 13 goals, but has not scored in three consecutive games. matches. During the previous meeting against Atlanta, the Belgian striker scored a hat-trick.

DC guard Tyler Miller made his first appearance since August 26, ending Alex Bono’s streak of 26 consecutive starts. Miller made two excellent saves in front of the announced crowd of 15,899, but Almada’s goal extended United’s clean streak to 13 games.

Lesesne said he was happy with Bono but wanted to shake things up and give Miller a chance after he recovers from major shoulder surgery.

“I’ve been looking forward to this day for a long time,” Miller said. “It was so nice to be in front of the crowd again.”

In the first half, Miller made a diving stop on Almada’s 12-yard threat. In the 77th minute, he was called upon after Aaron Herrera’s gift led to a quick counter-attack. As Xande Silva charged forward, Miller made a one-on-one leg save.

Two minutes later, however, Miller couldn’t do much about Almada’s beauty.

On the sideline, Almada cut inside against Klich, then dodged Peltola’s challenge.

“It was a little too easy, especially for this type of player, to give him so much space,” Benteke said.

Almada took full advantage, sending the 26-yard shot out of Miller’s reach and into the side netting for his fifth goal of the year.

“When you give a special player like that the opportunity to have a clean look at the goal, it’s dangerous,” Miller said. “He hit it clean.”

United had several late chances, but Brad Guzan made a quick save on Benteke’s point-blank header, rookie Jacob Murrell missed the nearest corner from six yards out and former DC defender Derrick Williams blocked the Benteke’s close bid.

Atlanta (5-8-5) recorded its first shutout in nine games.

“We defend pretty well,” Lesesne said. “We press pretty well, but with the ball at the moment we need to do better and we need to be a little cleaner and a little calmer in certain areas of the game.”

United have reached an agreement with Dominique Badji, a longtime MLS striker who spent the last few months in Turkey with Bandirmaspor’s secondary team, sources close to the matter said. The MLS transfer window opens on July 18.

Badji, 31, played at Alexandria Episcopal High School. He had five goals and three assists in 23 regular-season appearances with Cincinnati last year and has 43 career goals in 200 MLS appearances.

Midfielder Gabriel Pirani came on in the 81st minute against Atlanta after missing a game while in his native Brazil, finalizing a green card for permanent residency in the United States. He will no longer count against United’s international player limit.

Defensive midfielder Jackson Hopkins (lower back injury) missed his second straight game but could return Saturday against the visiting Houston Dynamo. Forward Kristian Fletcher (ankle) was not in uniform.

Three Atlanta regulars were absent due to international obligations: Luis Abram is with Peru at the Copa América while Saba Lobjanidze (Georgia) and Bartosz Slisz (Poland) are at the European Championship.

Giorgos Giakoumakis (24 goals in 41 regular season matches) was transferred this week to Cruz Azul in Mexico.

Due to roster shortages, Atlanta called up 20-year-old midfielder Matías Gallardo, son of former Argentina star Marcelo Gallardo, who played for DC in 2008.