Atlanta United loses to Necaxa in Leagues Cup
Credit: Matthew Dingle/Atlanta United
Atlanta United’s winless streak in the Leagues Cup continued with a 3-1 loss to Necaxa on Wednesday at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Though the hosts played well for the third consecutive match, they fell to 0-5 in the tournament in front of an announced attendance of 30,847.
With the loss, which meant it failed to earn a point, it will be difficult for Atlanta United to be one of the four teams from its 18-team group that will advance into the knockout rounds.
Atlanta United will play Pumas on Saturday in Orlando before hosting Atlas on Aug. 6. Atlanta United will likely need at least five points to advance. That would mean winning one match in regulation, which is three points, and winning the other in penalty kicks, which is two points.
Atlanta United outplayed Necaxa for most of the match but couldn’t turn that advantage into goals, a theme this season.
“I really like the way we play,” manager Ronny Deila said. “I see so many positive things. But it’s very tough to sit there and talk about that when you lose this game. I can’t understand how it’s possible to lose this game.”
The Five Stripes finished with 18 shots, four on goal. Alexey Miranchuk scored its goal. Atlanta United missed three Big Chances, which is a situation where a player should reasonably be expected to score. Necaxa finished with 13 shots, five on goal. Tomás Badaloni scored two goals for Necaxa.
“The result is a consequence of the performance, and you need to be able to put together a complete performance,” goalkeeper Brad Guzan said. “And so, you sit here and talk about 45 minutes, 55 minutes, 60 minutes, whatever. If it’s not 95-plus minutes, it’s not worth talking about. So, yeah, we’ve got to find a way.”
Deila’s lineup was composed of striker Jamal Thiaré, wingers Miguel Almirón and Luke Brennan, attacking midfielder Miranchuk, central midfielders Bartosz Slisz and Tristan Muyumba, fullbacks Ronald Hernández and Pedro Amador, centerbacks Stian Gregersen and Derrick Williams, and Guzan.
Atlanta United fell behind 1-0 in the 12th minute on an own goal charged to Guzan because a muffed shot by Raúl Sánchez first hit the crossbar, then bounced off Guzan’s left arm and head before casually landing in the goal. The goal was reviewed for a possible handball against Williams. The goal stood, though Sanchez appeared to be offsides. No Atlanta United player who spoke to the referee after the match said they understood the call made by referee Marco Ortiz.
Atlanta United tied the match at 1 in the 29th minute on a goal by Miranchuk with one of the best team goals it has scored this season. Atlanta United attacked down its left. Brennan beat his defender and then played Muyumba through. His cross was pushed by goalkeeper Luis Unsain to Miranchuk, who tapped the ball in from 5 yards.
Atlanta United played well in the first half for the third consecutive match. The Five Stripes finished with 10 shots, three on goal, compared to Necaxa’s four and one.
Atlanta United didn’t win the previous two matches, both league games against Charlotte and Seattle, because of its propensity for giving up goals in the first 15 minutes of second halves. It gave up two to Charlotte and one to Seattle.
Atlanta United made it through the problematic period without giving up a goal, keeping the match tied at 1.
Deila subbed on Will Reilly, Brooks Lennon, Enea Mihaj and Emmanuel Latte Lath for Thiare, Muyumba, Gregersen and Amador in the 64th minute. Hernández moved from the right to the left. There was only supposed to be one sub but cramps and fatigue forced more subs.
A penalty called against Diego de Buen for dragging down Mihaj in the 68th minute was overturned by Ortiz after he reviewed the play.
Necaxa took a 2-1 lead in the 77th minute on a header by Badaloni, who got past Reilly on a corner kick.
“It’s frustrating because we’ve been working on our corner kicks, and we’re meant to have blockers to give us time to get out,” Williams said. “And he (Reilly) must have gotten blocked, because the guy had a good run.”
Mihaj, who hustled to make a sliding tackle that resulted in the corner kick, missed heading away the corner before Badaloni reached it.
“It was a fantastic goal from them, but at the same time, it’s too easy from our side,” Deila said.
Badaloni capped it at 3-1 with a goal in the first minute of stoppage time. It was a very Atlanta United-like goal because Badaloni was unmarked near the center of the 18-yard box. He received the ball, turned to his left and shot.
“I’m very frustrated and feel sorry for our fans, because they are unbelievable every week, and we end up on the wrong side of the scoreline every time,” Deila said.
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