Illustrated Box Score Atlanta United vs. DC United: Black in deep red

It turns out that Atlanta United is better than DC United, who knew? It only took a game without a keeper howler or an own goal and a Five Stripes team determined to get redemption for an embarrassing loss to open the season. DC also looked completely out-played in the game. Ben Olsen started the team with a 4-1-4-1 formation and defensive midfielder Junior Moreno watched Atlanta players run past him the whole game. Darren Mattocks did get a ball watchy goal in the dying moments so it wasn’t quite a completely futile effort for DCU.

Not everyone was happy though:

Things went from #PlayYourKids to #TataOut pretty fast there. It is frustrating to see Carlton sitting on the bench and Tata Martino be slow to go to his subs in a game the team is so completely dominating, but it did seem like Frosted Orange was put behind Kevin Kratz in the substitute pecking order once Mattocks scored.

Anyway, here’s how it looked in the box score:

Things went about as well as they could until the Mattocks goal. The three center back formation didn’t concede 2.5 goals as it had averaged the two matches it was trotted out last season and Michael Parkhurst, who was rotated last weekend, showed how important he is to the defense.

That possession number probably flattered DC United who completely abandoned the ball in the first half. Atlanta showed that you don’t really need a ball winning midfielder if you never lose possession.

But you know...

Atlanta United will try to out tall the Vancouver Whitecaps next weekend (I wonder what my prekrap this week will focus on).