Atlanta United winless streak reaches eight

Atlanta United (2-7-5) was shut out for the sixth time in 14 matches as its franchise-worst start deepened. The team hasn’t scored more than one goal since its last win against NYCFC on March 29, which preceded its eight-game slide.

Atlanta United fell to 2-3-3 at home. It has already dropped as many or more points (15) at home than it did in 17 matches in 2017 (15), ’18 (14) and ’19 (12).

A potential tying shot by Derrick Williams from a few yards away in the 98th minute was batted to the side by Philadelphia goalkeeper Andrew Rick. Those are the margins that are keeping the Five Stripes winless.

As with many of its defeats this season, including the first time it played Philadelphia when it gifted it three goals, Atlanta United has only itself to blame. This time, a poor decision by Brad Guzan contributed to a handball by Luis Abram that resulted in a penalty kick that was converted for the only goal.

“We can play as much as we want,” Deila said. “I don’t think Philadelphia is playing beautiful football, but they go straight and they win balls, and they get balls in the box, and they’re dangerous when they hit crosses. That’s the difference between us right now.”

Atlanta United will host Cincinnati on May 25.

Playing its third match in eight days, Deila made five changes to the lineup he used in Wednesday’s 1-1 draw at Austin. Jamal Thiare replaced Emmanuel Latte Lathe at striker, with Alexey Miranchuk and Miguel Almiron starting in the midfield along with Tristan Muyumba and Jay Fortune, who replaced Bartosz Slisz and Mateusz Klich in the deeper roles. Brooks Lennon and Pedro Amador replaced Ronald Hernandez and Matthew Edwards as the wingbacks. Williams, Abram and Edwards, who replaced Noah Cobb, started as the centerbacks, and Guzan again started in goal. It was the 50th appearances for Muyumba and Thiare.

Atlanta United started positively. Playing a higher defensive line, the hosts consistently kept the Union penned in. Shots by Lennon and Amador came within inches of opening the scoring.

Lennon was subbed off in the 20th minute, presumably because of a recurring hamstring issue. He was replaced by Saba Lobjanidze.

Thiare missed wide a close-ranger header a few minutes later.

Atlanta United finished the half taking five shots, putting one on goal, for an expected goals total of 0.6. Philadelphia took seven shots, putting three on goal, for an expected goals total of 0.7. Atlanta United created four chances. Philadelphia created five.

Abram, sliding to block a shot going toward an open goal after a misplay by Guzan, committed a handball in the 18-yard box in the 54th minute that neither referee Chris Penso nor assistant referee Kali Smith saw. VAR Younes Marrakchi recommended Penso review it. After doing so, he called for a penalty kick in the 57th minute and gave Abram a yellow card. Tai Baribo, who came on to start the second half, put the ball into the lower left corner to give the Union a 1-0 lead in the 59th minute.

Philadelphia took advantage when it put the ball into the 18-yard box.

“He can say that because we concede and we don’t score,” Miranchuk said of Deila’ analysis of the team’s play in the boxes. “So there is a reason to say that. We’re all defense, all 10 players trying to help on defense, but somehow we concede. We have moments, we create some moments, we don’t score.”

Latte Lath replaced Thiare and Edwin Mosquera replaced Muyumba in the 66th minute. That sub put all three of Atlanta United’s Designed Players on the field.

Atlanta United switched to a back four with Lobjanidze moving from wingback to wing and Edwards moving from centerback to right fullback. Amador moved from left wingback to left fullback so that Mosquera could slot in as the left wing.

The team created a few scoring chances but could put just two more shots on goal, increasing its total to three.

“It comes down to finding a way to win,” Fortune said. “And I think the teams that we’ve lost to, or even tied, in late moments have found ways to win and we haven’t. That’s a big part of it. That’s what we’re struggling with at the moment.”