What Atlanta United’s (almost) flawless August means for this season’s success

Atlanta closed out the month with a loss against the Philadelphia Union despite Josef Martinez opening the scoring in what was his 13th consecutive match with a goal. The Five Stripes were on a seven-game winning streak leading up to their clash with the Union but two very late opposition goals kept all three points in Philadelphia.

This result marks the tenth league loss for Atlanta this season, the most in the club’s short history. Despite this, with six league games left to play, it seems the difficulties endured at the onset of the season are all distant memories after the side’s historic month.

The Five Stripes won two trophies in August when they conquered the U.S. Open Cup in front of a record-breaking crowd, securing CONCACAF Champions League qualification for next season, and became the first MLS side to lift the Campeones Cup, their first international trophy. The side also snapped a six-game road losing streak when they beat Orlando City in the cup semifinal before their league victory in Portland. Also, Josef’s record-breaking scoring streak will continue into September after his goal in Philadelphia, which brought his season total to 23.

Atlanta approaches the end of the regular season having earned 12 league points from a possible 15 in August. With NYCFC winning their match against Vancouver, the Five Stripes will end the month in third place, six points off fourth-place DC United.

The international break will give Atlanta time to regroup and rest before their next league games against the Ohio sides, who are bottom of the Eastern Conference. The Five Stripes will play five games in September, three of which will be played on the road including the fixture at NYCFC on the 25th. Atlanta will look to clinch a playoff spot in their upcoming matches as they continue to push for the first-place finish and secure a bye as well as the chance to host all their post season matches at the Mercedes-Benz.

Now let’s have some fun. Considering how the month has gone,