RECAP: Atlanta United overruns NYCFC

The things that happened in the game that was played

Atlanta had three huge chances at the beginning of the game. They did not score.

They then had a bunch more chances.

And then it looked like they had scored in the 33rd minute when Pity Martinez whipped in a free kick and found the head of Miles Robinson. But Robinson had pushed off beforehand and the watchful and omnipresent eye of VAR determined the goal did not count and the game remained scoreless.

And that pissed Josef off.

10 straight matches breaks the old MLS record of nine. A record he tied last year.

Thanks to Josef, the Five Stripes entered the half up one. It could have been much more.

The second half continued with more of the same. Atlanta repeatedly found chances and it was only a matter of time before the Five Stripes increased their lead. They chose a surprising route to do it though.

In the 60th minute, Pity hustled on to a long ball, won a shoulder-to-shoulder challenge and then earned a penalty.

The King, of course, finished easily.

But, as these things do, the many handfuls of missed chances throughout the game came back to bite Atlanta United. Or at least nibble at them.

NYCFC pulled one back in the 80th minute.

A Recap Thought: We are fun (again)

Late goal aside, it seems like we once again saw the most complete performance of the year from Atlanta United. It feels like we’re starting to say that every other game.

The amount and quality of chances created along with the pace and flair they’re being created with are very reminiscent of the best performances of the 2017 and 2018 sides and are coming at a time when the regular season is hurtling toward an early close. Just like in 2018, the Five Stripes are beginning to play their best soccer at the right time.

With two finals this month, and the playoffs on the horizon, we here at Dirty South Soccer would very much consider that to be “a good move.”

The soccer is as enjoyable to watch as almost any other point over the last three years, and for it to happen at the clear sky end of a storm of comments to the media and locker room struggles and horrific results is nearly as impressive as anything we’ve seen from any Atlanta United team.

DSS Man of the Match

Josef Alexander Martinez.

Dude played on a bum adductor and still outshone everyone.

Build two statues.

Larentowicz Man of the Match (Your unsung hero(es))

Darlington takes it this week. Typical Darlington things throughout. Darlington, your check and box set of Dawson’s Creek seasons 1-3 is in the mail.

Tweet of the Night

What’s Next?

Campeones Cup. Whatever that is. Unless we win it, then it’s the most important trophy ever.