“It’s fixable”: Atlanta United remains winless for a 6th consecutive match and falls to DC 3-2

Atlanta United attacking midfielder Thiago Almada scores a penalty during the first half of a Major League Soccer match against DC United on Saturday, May 11, 2024 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. (Photo: Itoro N. Umontuen/The Atlanta Voice)

On Saturday, May 11, Atlanta United hosted DC United, ninth and ahead of them in the Eastern Conference standings by two points (14-12), Atlanta having a game in hand. Atlanta is now five behind DC in the standings after a 3-2 loss at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

Coming into the match having failed to win any of their last five league matches (three draws and two defeats), United were expected to enjoy their home game in the worst possible way. Especially since the next home match will take place against the current holder of first place in the Eastern Conference, Inter Miami, on Wednesday May 29 (7:30 p.m.).

After the match, Atlanta manager Gonzalo Pineda called the result a “negative moment” but added that the current winless streak was “fixable.”

Things started off well with Atlanta earning a penalty in the 16th minute and Thiago Alamada sending that kick into the back of the DC net to take a 1-0 lead. DC immediately leveled the match in the 19th minute with a goal from striker Christian Benteke off a header. He would score again, on another header, to give DC a 2-1 lead in the 44th minute.

DC United forward Christian Benteke prepares to defend his team’s six-yard box during a Major League Soccer match against Atlanta United on Saturday, May 11, 2024 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. (Photo: Itoro N. Umontuen/The Atlanta Voice)

Seven minutes of stoppage time wasn’t enough for Atlanta to tie the score before halftime, but the first minute of the second half would be. A shot from Saba Lobjanidze was deflected into the goal by a DC United defender, Matti Peltola, to make the score two-all.

Atlanta United will play two away games this week after playing three home games (including a 3-0 win over Charlotte Independence on Tuesday, May 7 in Kennesaw) the week before. Atlanta will be at Cincinnati on Wednesday (departure at 7:30 p.m.) and at Nashville on Saturday (1:45 p.m.). Cincinnati FC defeated Atlanta United 2-1 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on April 20.

Benteke would score again, yes on another header, in front of goal from a corner to put DC ahead 3-2 again in the 56th minute. That would be enough to give Atlanta its sixth loss of the season.

DC United forward Christian Benteke leaves the field after scoring three goals during a Major League Soccer match against Atlanta United on Saturday, May 11, 2024 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. (Photo: Itoro N. Umontuen/The Atlanta Voice)

Objectives achieved: DC United’s Christian Benteke came into the match having scored eight goals in nine matches. He would leave Atlanta with goals 9,10 and 11 in hand after leaving the match on a substitution in the 87th minute. The 6-foot-3 Congolese forward was named MLS Player of the Day in late February and will most likely win the award again.

Regarding Benteke’s hat trick, Pineda said: “Today against Benteke it was a difficult task for our back line.”

The scoreless streak continues: Atlanta United striker Giorgos Giakoumakis has been stuck on five goals for over a month. The last time Giakoumakis scored a goal was March 31 against Chicago. Atlanta won this match 3-0 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Several times this evening, Giakoumakis looked closely at the DC net, to no avail.

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