Atlanta United loses late at LAFC
Yet another odd play resulted in Atlanta United losing to LAFC 1-0 on Sunday.
Atlanta United had shut out LAFC until the 86th minute, when a header by Enea Mihaj dropped right to Denis Bouanga, whose volley from close range at the back post secured the victory.
Until the goal, Atlanta United played the type of compact defense that manager Ronny Deila has wanted to see most of the season. The hosts had taken 13 shots to Atlanta United’s 3 before the goal.
That Atlanta United, which had one of the worst defenses in MLS, kept LAFC from scoring until so long was a surprise. LAFC scored 17 goals in its previous six matches. All were scored by either Bouanga or Son Heung-min.
Atlanta United has just one win from its past 16 matches and was shut out for the 11th time in its 32nd match. It has two matches remaining before it ends what its record (5-15-12) will show as the worst season in its history.
Deila’s lineup was composed of Jamal Thiare, Miguel Almirón, Alexey Miranchuk, Bartosz Slisz, Steven Alzate, Pedro Amadro, Ronald Hernandez, Juan Berrocal, Stian Gregersen, Mihaj and Jayden Hibbert. It was the first time that Berrocal, Gregersen and Mihaj started together.
Atlanta United finished the half with just one shot. Though LAFC took eight, the half ended tied at 0. Deila and Miranchuk said during the week that Atlanta United needed to make sure its defense was stable and then it would try to take advantage of turnovers it hoped to create.
Emmanuel Latte Lath and Tristan Muyumba subbed on for Thiare and Miranchuk in the 72nd minute. Saba Lobjanidze came in for Gregersen in the 79th minute. Hernandez moved into Gregersen’s place in the three-centerback system.
LAFC, which also started with three central defenders, switched to two and added an attacker, Jeremy Ebobisse, in the 83rd minute.
Bouanga’s goal didn’t spark Atlanta United’s attack, which finished with the three shots, one on goal. It came from Slisz.
Atlanta United will play at Miami next week and will host D.C. United in its finale in two weeks.
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