Message after lopsided loss: Avoid feeling ‘embarrassment and shame’ in next match

Manager Frank de Boer knows what he wants to see.

“I said after the game, ‘OK, remember this feeling. You don’t want to feel it again,’” he said. “That embarrassment and shame that you feel. You want to avoid it. And you’ll probably have that once in your career and hopefully it’s only once.

“The good thing is it’s only three points, but if you’re not already thinking about Red Bulls today then it can be more points. So we have to put it aside but remember this feeling. But remember also the good feeling that we experience and that feels much better. And that always starts with hard work and being focused from the first second. You have to work very hard and then the quality will be decisive normally.”

The team played Wednesday without leading striker Josef Martinez, who is expected back on Sunday.  It also played without Ezequiel Barco, who could return.

Red Bulls may have their own issues. They were beaten 4-0 on Wednesday by Houston. Michael Murillo and Kaku received red cards and should miss Sunday’s game. Aaron Long will also miss the game because he is with the U.S. men’s national team in the final of the Gold Cup.  Atlanta United will likely be without Leandro Gonzalez Pirez, who was given a red card for denial of a goal-scoring opportunity against Chicago.

Still, if Atlanta United doesn’t find its concentration, results may not be as easy as assumed.

“I think first and foremost you look at this and learn from it,” Atlanta United goalkeeper Brad Guzan said.  “It’s not a matter of just shoving it to the side and forgetting it. Otherwise it’s pointless experiencing something like this. We have to have real conversations and look at it as to why it went bad and why after 10 minutes the game is over. We’ve got to use it in a way that prepares us for Sunday.”