Atlanta United cornered by Vancouver

Vancouver Whitecaps’ Kendall Waston celebrates his second goal against Atlanta United during the first half of an MLS soccer match in Vancouver, British Columbia, Saturday, June 3, 2017. (Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press via AP)

Vancouver Whitecaps’ Kendall Waston celebrates his second goal against Atlanta United during the first half of an MLS soccer match in Vancouver, British Columbia, Saturday, June 3, 2017. (Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press via AP)

Poor defending on three corner kicks and a notable lack of energy resulted in Atlanta United falling to Vancouver 3-1 on Saturday at BC Place.

An opening goal by Greg Garza, his first for the team, was offset by two goals from Kendall Waston in the first half and another by Fredy Montero in the second half to snap Atlanta United’s two-game winning streak.

Atlanta United (5-5-3) was able to clear the ball on the corner kick that led to Vancouver’s first goal, but was unable to do so on the next goals. The Five Stripes have given up three goals on corner kicks this season.

The team was 2-0-1 in its past three games by showing patience with the ball or punishing its opponent’s mistakes.

Instead, it was Vancouver that took advantage of its chances while Atlanta United couldn’t generate much of anything on offense. Vancouver did an excellent job of marking Miguel Almiron out of the game. The back-to-back MLS Player of the Week couldn’t find any room to influence Atlanta United’s attack.