The Daily Dirt, May 10, 2018: Hump Day heartache

Good morning, Atlanta United fans. I’m pinch-hitting for Parker today on Daily Dirt duties, but his Illustrated Box Score will still be served up hot and fresh.

Last night was disappointing. Not only did the Five Stripes lose 2-0, they got robbed of a goal because apparently the head referee doesn’t know how to interpret the rules. Brad Guzan was sent off in the first half for a bad challenge in the box (the correct decision), which means unless Alec Kann is fit enough to play on Sunday, it could be Paul Christensen starting against the team from Central Florida.

Give the team credit for maintaining the offensive pressure despite going down 1-0. The second goal? I have no idea.

On to the Dirt:

***BREAKING***

Rooney to DC is happening, it appears.

Domestic

-Something resembling only parts of the Seattle Sounders’ first-choice XI beat the Jozy Altidore-less Toronto FC, because of course they did after being shut out in back-to-back matches against LAFC and Columbus.

-The Philadelphia Union aren’t good. While they did beat the New England Revolution 2-0 to start the season, that’s been one of just two wins this season. The other one? D.C. United.

-#Respect to Minnesota United, who allowed 29 shots (7 on target) to LAFC but only lost 2-0. Just kidding - they aren’t good either.

-L’Impact n’est pas très bon. Montreal lost to Chicago 1-0 on a Kevin Ellis 89th-minute goal. Fun fact: Montreal has allowed two or more goals in all but three of its matches. This was one of them.

-Here’s how MLS’ digital team is handling the addition of Zlatan to the league. (Spoiler: pretty well)

International

-After finishing mid-table last season in the Premier League, poor West Brom will end this campaign past the drop zone and will be relegated to the Championship for the first time since 2009-10. Some NSFW stats tell the story. (They’ve had FOUR managers this season?)

-Speaking of the EPL, here’s a look at every club’s next prospect that could crack the first team.

-Neymar wants to bail from PSG to Real Madrid in the summer. Zinedine Zidane will neither confirm or deny. Related: PSG paid over US$263M to sign him LAST YEAR.

Video of the day

-What were you doing when you were 15? I certainly wasn’t scoring hat tricks in a sanctioned professional soccer game.