Atlanta United loses at home to DC United 3-2

Meetings between Atlanta United and DC United in recent years have been high-scoring affairs, and the same was true for Saturday’s match at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. A total of five goals were scored on the evening, but the result did not fall in favor of Atlanta and the 5-Stripes lost at home 3-2.

With this result, Atlanta United’s difficult form continues. The team is now winless in its last six regular season games, including three straight home losses.

“We need to get off the ground and stop stealing,” Giorgos Giakoumakis said. “Because I feel like sometimes we have this bad habit that when we win 1, 2, 3 games, we steal a little bit. We have to stay grounded and be more humble. Now we have to work even more. “.

Atlanta United opened the scoring with a Thiago Almada penalty. DC United defender Christopher McVey was booked for a foul in the box on Giorgos Giakoumakis. Atlanta’s Starboy stepped up and converted a headed shot in the 16th minute. It was Almada’s third goal of the season, the second from the penalty spot.

The goal scored no. 20 for Almada all-time in the MLS regular season. He becomes the third player in Atlanta United history to record at least 20 goals and 20 assists in the regular season, joining Miguel Almirón and Tito Villalba.

The lead didn’t last long for the home team, and DC United responded quickly with a classic goal. Playing from the back, the visitors moved the ball end to end until it was finally at Jared Stroud’s feet. The midfielder crossed the ball into the box and DC captain Christian Benteke headed home his ninth goal in 10 matches, leveling the match 1-1 in the 19th minute.

Atlanta United created one of its best organic moments on attack in the 39th minute. Almada sent a precise ball to Caleb Wiley, making a run down the left side of the field. The home full-back crossed low to Saba Lobjanidze who was open on the other side of the box. Lobjanidze’s shot was on target but DC United goalkeeper Alex Bono covered his post well to clear Saba’s angle and make the save.

A long DC United possession led to the visiting team’s second goal of the evening. The same playmakers made that possible when Stroud found Benteke at the far post for a header, securing the striker’s brace on the night. With this, DC United took the lead at Mercedes-Benz Stadium 2-1 in the 44th minute.

“They created more danger than us,” Atlanta United head coach Gonzalo Pineda said in his post-match press conference. “It wasn’t the kind of game we were playing, like we were creating a lot, a lot, a lot, but we were missing the chances, transition moments and set pieces that we conceded. But today, It wasn’t the match today, their frankness, their long balls, their kind of pressure, we couldn’t get past that.

Atlanta United equalized early in the second half on an own goal. Lobjanidze sent a low shot near the post which was deflected into the goal by DC United’s Matti Peltola. The equalizer made it 2-2 in the 48th minute. On the ensuing possession for DC United, Atlanta United goalkeeper Brad Guzan stopped what was almost a hat trick for Benteke.

The striker completed his hat trick in the 55th minute, again with a header, to put the visitors 3-2 ahead. Benetke, who was a problem for Atlanta United all night, found himself tied for first place in the Golden Boot race thanks to his performance on Saturday.

“It was just about Benteke winning the first ball and throwing it,” center back Noah Cobb said. “It’s really unpredictable where that ball is going to go, and I think it’s really difficult.”

“It was a very difficult task for the defense,” Pineda said.

Late, Pineda sent some reinforcements to the field. MLS veteran Dax McCarty came on at halftime. Winger Xande Silva as well as the team’s scorers in the US Open Cup match, striker Daniel Ríos and midfielder Nick Firmino, were replaced in the second half. However, it was not enough as Atlanta United could not score their third goal.

“In general, it’s very different from previous matches, very different,” Pineda said. “In the previous five matches we are normally better than the opponent and we just lacked sharpness. Today we scored two goals and created a few more, but we have to come back and get back at it. It’s fixable. “We need to get that vibe of positivity back and once we get that back, I think we’ll be fine. This is a difficult moment, this one, and we need to fix it. “

After a midweek match in the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup that saw five players make their first-team debut, Atlanta United’s starting lineup on Saturday looked more similar to the team’s recent MLS clashes. Pineda opted for speed against DC United, inserting Lobjanidze and Edwin Mosquera as wingers in the starting XI.

Starting XI and squad ratings for Atlanta United vs. DC United on Saturday, May 11, 2024

This is the first of three matches against DC United for Atlanta this year. In addition to two MLS regular season matches, the two Eastern Conference clubs have also been included in the same group for the Leagues Cup which begins later this summer. They join Santos Laguna of Liga MX in the East Group 7.

After Saturday’s home game against DC, Atlanta United prepares for a doubleheader of road games. First, the 5-Stripes will travel to FC Cincinnati on Wednesday, May 15. Then it’s time for Rivalry Week next Saturday, May 18 as Atlanta United travel to GEODIS Park to take Nashville SC to play some soccer down South.

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