Atlanta United’s issue with second-half swoons

Though it has played just eight MLS games this season, Atlanta United has already dropped seven points in the second halves of four of those games.

Sunday’s 2-2 draw with Philadelphia is the most recent example. Leading 2-0, it allowed two goals after the 82nd minute.

Those seven points may be the difference between hosting a playoff game, or even making the playoffs, when the season ends. Atlanta United is 2-1-5 and in a tie for seventh place in the East, but in ninth after tie-breakers. It is nine points from first and seven from last. The top seven teams will qualify for the playoffs. It will play at NYCFC on Wednesday.

“In a soccer game, both teams are going to have chances,” fullback Brooks Lennon said. They were able to capitalize on their chances late in the game tonight. So, we need to look at that on film and go back and fix out mistakes. And hopefully the next time we have a 2-0 lead, we can keep it.”

Other examples of Atlanta United wasting opportunities:

Losing 2-1 at New England on a goal in the 53rd minute after working to a 1-1 score.
Drawing 1-1 at Miami by allowing the tying goal in the 77th minute.
Drawing 2-2 with Nashville after having a two-lead going into the 80th minute.
And then Sunday’s result with Philadelphia.

In neither of the goals did Atlanta United’s defenders nor Heinze look as sharp as expected.

Heinze subbed in centerback Alan Franco because midfielder Franco Ibarra was tired, and to shore up the defense. The team switched to three centerbacks, something it worked on with regard to the formation and tactics during the week, Heinze said.

On the first goal, a Philadelphia player was unmarked long enough about 22 yards from goal to take a shot. Goalkeeper Brad Guzan saved the shot, but none of his teammates reacted to the loose ball as quickly as Philadelphia’s Cory Burke, who scored the first goal.

Burke cleans up the rebound & the boys are right back in it ⚡️#ATLvPHI 2 - 1 | #DOOP pic.twitter.com/nXTp8JsPfq
— PhilaUnion🛡 (@PhilaUnion) June 20, 2021

On the second, Jakob Glesnes, a centerback, was left unmarked about 35 yards from goal. An Atlanta United player could be seen pointing at Glesnes, which meant someone was supposed to close him down. No one did and he hit a rocket into the upper left corner in the 93rd minute. Heinze said he didn’t think the team made a mistake defending, but also said the team worked during the week on not letting the player pass or shoot.

For the season, Atlanta United has allowed five goals in the final 15 minutes of games. It has scored four. A theme in the goals allowed is an Atlanta United player “switching off” for just a few seconds. This was a problem last season, too, when Atlanta United failed to make the playoffs for the first time in four seasons.

Man's got Thor's hammer for a leg tho 🇳🇴#DOOP pic.twitter.com/anR9tDCxZN
— PhilaUnion🛡 (@PhilaUnion) June 20, 2021

“I think the team faced a great team in Philadelphia tonight,” Heinze said. “I believe that for most part we were better. It’s true that after three weeks it’s harder to play after this time off. I like the reading of my team. I cannot talk about the result because it is what it is. Now what we can do is keep working.”

The second-half situations

Atlanta United 1, New England 1: A penalty kick by Marcelino Moreno in the 43rd minute pulled the team into a 1-1 draw in the 43rd minute. Ten minutes later, Carles Gil converted a penalty kick to lift New England to a 2-1 lead. That proved to be the final score.

Final result: New England 2, Atlanta United 1. One point dropped.

Atlanta United 1, Miami 0: A goal in the ninth minute by Josef Martinez looked like it would be enough to secure three points for Atlanta United. Then, Lewis Morgan scored in the 77th minute to tie the game at 1. The goal came as a result of a turnover by Atlanta United and then Morgan was left unmarked.

Final result: Atlanta United 1, Miami 1. Two points dropped.

Credit: MLS

Atlanta United 2, Nashville 0: Goals by Marcelino Moreno and Erik Lopez lifted Atlanta United to a 2-0 lead. With 10 minutes remaining, Hany Mukhtar scored to cut the lead to one. Three minutes later, Mukhtar scored again when the ball fortuitously bounced to him.

Final result: Atlanta United 2, Nashville 2. Two points dropped.

Atlanta United 2, Philadelphia 0: An own-goal and header by Anton Walkes gave the team a 2-0 lead with seven minutes remaining. Cory Burke scored one minute later when he was the first to react to a loose ball a few yards from goal. Nine minutes later, an unmarked Jakob Glesnes hit a 35-yard blast into the upper left corner for a 2-2 draw.

Final result: Atlanta United 2, Philadelphia 2. Two points dropped.

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Atlanta United’s 2021 MLS schedule

April 17 Atlanta United 0, Orlando 0

April 24 Atlanta United 3, Chicago 1

May 1 New England 2, Atlanta United 1

May 9 Atlanta United 1, Inter Miami 1,

May 15 Atlanta United 1, Montreal 0

May 23 Atlanta United 1, Seattle 1