Five things to know about Atlanta United on Monday:
1. The Five Stripes were defeated by Dallas, 2-1, Saturday at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, dropping them to 0-1-2 in league games at home this season. Josef Martinez scored Atlanta United's goal on a penalty kick in stoppage time. Both of Dallas' goals came on defensive breakdowns by Atlanta United, a theme for the team going back to two seasons.
2. With five points and a goal difference of minus-3, Atlanta United is in last place among the 12 teams in the East. Nine teams in the East have a goal difference of zero or worse. Atlanta United has allowed just eight goals in five games, but its five goals scored are the fewest in MLS. LAFC has the most (25) and the highest goal difference (plus-18).
3. Atlanta United’s 22 shots against Dallas was the eighth time in franchise history that it has had at least 20 shots against an opponent. In those eight games, it has scored two goals or fewer four times. The most goals (7) came against New England in 2017. As Mike Conti pointed out when I tweeted this stat Saturday night, Atlanta United is 3-3-2 in those games.
4. Of the teams that have played home games this season, Atlanta United is one of four that remains winless. The others are NYCFC (0-0-3), Minnesota (0-0-1) and Colorado (0-2-2). Portland has yet to play a home game because Providence Park is undergoing renovations.
5. Atlanta United will host Colorado on Saturday. Despite an offseason overhaul, the Rapids have just two points and are the worst team in MLS this season. Look for Atlanta United to perhaps gets its first chance to play Josef Martinez, Pity Martinez, Hector Villalba, Ezequiel Barco, Darlington Nagbe and Julian Gressel in the starting 11 this season.
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