Atlanta United welcomed Josef Martinez back from a long injury layoff, but that was the only good news for the team in a 2-0 loss to Chicago on a hot, windy Saturday at Toyota Park.
The Five Stripes (5-6-3) have lost two consecutive road games with a U.S. Open Cup game upcoming on Wednesday and Columbus coming to Bobby Dodd Stadium on June 17.
Manager Gerardo Martino was forced to start the game without Martinez, who hasn’t played since season’s third game, and Miguel Almiron, who played in a friendly for Paraguay on Thursday. The two have combined for 12 goals this season.
After failing to defend set pieces unhinged the team in last week’s 3-1 loss at Vancouver, failing to defend counter-attacks proved difficult against Chicago, which wasted numerous opportunities.
Chicago grabbed a 1-0 lead in the in 29th minute on a goal by Luis Solignac.The play happened when Michael Parkhurst was disposed past the halfway line. Bastian Schweinsteiger found David Accam, one of two Chicago players who appeared to be offsides, with a long pass behind Atlanta United's defense. Accam danced around goalkeeper Alec Kann before finding Solignac, who passed it into the empty net in the 29th minute.
Martino elected to put Almiron and Martinez into the game in the 64th minute in an effort to grab at least a tie and point.
Instead, Chicago grabbed another goal, and secured all three points, after Tyrone Mears was whistled for a handball in the penalty box in the 69th minute after another quick Chicago attack. Nemanja Nikolic took the kick in the 70th minute to give Chicago a 2-0 lead.
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