Photo by Ron Soliman

The Philadelphia Union dropped a decisive loss to Atlanta United, losing their 4th game in a row. Atlanta largely broke through the Union’s press with ease, especially on the counter. On the other hand, Philly struggled to create, and were wasteful with their opportunities. However, they were able to find the back of the net for just the second time this season, the only silver lining in what was otherwise a dreadful display.

First Half

Philadelphia had the first real chance of the match early on in the 3rd minute. Makhanya used his body to win a challenge near the sideline, allowing Indiana Vassilev to find Milan Iloski. The West Coaster’s return pass was a perfectly weighted through ball to Vassilev again, whose cross picked out Bruno Damiani in the box, but the Uruguayan’s header flashed wide.

Ilsoki was again involved in the 10th minute, after a few passes exchanged between him and Jovan Lukić, Iloski took a powerful shot that was mere inches wide.

Atlanta had a near miss a few minutes later when Emmanuel Latte Lath got on the end of Tomás Jacob cross, but Andre Blake was there to stuff the close-range shot.

In the 23rd minute, Miranchuk had the next goal scoring opportunity on a counter attack by Atlanta. A cutback cross found the Russian at the top of the box and his low shot froze Blake, but whistled wide of the upright. 

The warning signs were there, and it would be the Five Stripes who opened the scoring in the 28th minute. After restarting play from a goal kick, Atlanta easily broke through the Union’s press and Miguel Almiron picked out a smart run by Latte Lath who finished clinically past Blake. 

After a period of dominance for Atlanta, the Union suddenly had an opportunity to level the score after Baez struck Damiani’s head in the box. Iloski stepped up to take, but his powerful shot clanged off the post, letting Atlanta off the hook.

Despite one or two half-chances for each side, the score remained unchanged heading into the break.

Second Half

Atlanta got the second half rolling with a near immediate second goal, this time from the defender Jacob. The Five Strips once again cut through the Philadelphia press, and Almirón again assisted, this time with a low cross to the back post which Jacob was somehow able to get past Blake from close range. 

The Union seemed to deflate after conceding a second and Bradley Carnell turned to his bench to try and change Philly fortunes in the 58th minute with a triple substitution. 

The press finally began paying off after the 60th minute, and Philly began getting more chances. The best of which was set up by Alejandro Bedoya, who found an open Agustin Anello in the box with essentially an open net. Unfortunately, the chance went begging as the striker’s shot was sent over the bar.

Atlanta all but sealed the deal in the 68th minute, with a brutal counter attack which saw 4 Five Stripes attackers bearing down on just 2 Union defenders. Miranchuk finally got his goal, after several close calls, with Almirón picking up his third assist of the day.

Finally, the Union scored their first goal from open play this season, 87 minutes into the contest and 357 minutes into league play. Beodoya received the ball on the wing and spotted a wide open Westfield at the far post. The Home Grown player’s reset header found a crashing Anello who made no mistake with the finish this time, smashing home from close range.

But, it would prove to only be a consolation as the Union were unable to score two more in the remaining minutes. 

After 7 minutes of added time, the final whistle sounded as cheers erupted across Mercedes-Benz Stadium, signalling Atlanta’s victory and a 4th consecutive defeat for the Union.

3 Points:

• 4-Piece Combo: Another game, another loss. That’s 4 in a row to start the season, a new low in Union history. It’s difficult to compete in MLS while playing in CCC but this feels more systemic than the usual difficulties of balancing midweek games. What can Carnell do to get a win?

• Anemic Attack: Another game and hardly anything to show for it on the attack, aside from a late consolation goal. Just 3 shots on target, and 2 were from outside the box. This team is desperately in need of a chance creator and better finishers.

• Getting Philly-sophical: We know how the Union want to score goals: with their press. We also know that the Union want to play ‘Money ball’, relying on their academy. But this seems to have become more restrictive than necessary. What’s the point of the academy if they jettison most of their promising prospects for ‘not fitting the system’? What’s the point of the press if it just doesn’t work?

Lineups

Philadelphia Union (4-2-2-2): Andre Blake (GK),Phillipe Ndinga (Sery Larsen 78’), Olwethu Makhanya, Nathan Harriel, Frankie Westfield, Jovan Lukić, Danley Jean-Jacques (Jesús Bueno 82’), Indiana Vassilev (Agustin Anello 58’), Milan Iloski (Alejadnro Bedoya 58’), Bruno Damiani, Stas Korzeniowski (Ezekial Alladoh 58’)

Unused Subs: Andrew Rick, Geiner Martinez, Ben Bender, Cavan Sullivan

Atlanta United (4-3-3): Lucas Hoyos (GK), Elías Báez, Enea Mihaj, Stian Gregersen, Tomás Jacob, Matías Galarza (Steven Alzate 71’), Tristan Muyumba, Cooper Sanchez (Matthew Edwards 90 + 8’), Miguel Almiron (Pedro Amador 89’), Emmanuel Latte Lath (Fafa Picault 70’), Aleksei Miranchuk (Ssaba Lobjanidze 78’)

Unused Subs: Jayden Hibbert, Ronald Hernández, Cayman Togashi, Sergio Santos

Scoring Summary:

ATL: Emmanuel Latte Lath (Miguel Almirón) – 29’

ATL: Tomás Jacob (Miguel Almirón) – 47’

ATL: Aleksei Miranchuk (Miguel Almirón) – 69’

PHI: Agustin Anello (Frankie Westfield) – 88’

Disciplinary Summary:

ATL: Elías Báez (Yellow) – 42’

ATL: Stian Gregersen (Yellow) – 45 + 2’

ATL: Matías Galarza (Yellow) – 49’

ATL: Tomás Jacob (Yellow) – 86’