Describing it as a disgrace, Atlanta United midfielder Dax McCarty said the team’s 5-3 loss in penalty kicks to Santos Laguna, which eliminated it from the Leagues Cup on Sunday at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, was a microcosm of the team’s season.
“Two home games in a tournament where two out of three teams advance in the group, and we can’t win a game,” he said.
Atlanta United lost both of its matches in the tournament in penalty kicks. It was beaten by D.C. United 6-5 after the match ended 3-3 in regulation with two goals self-inflicted. Atlanta United knew it needed to win in regulation or in penalty kicks. It put very little pressure on Santos Laguna, which was winless in its past 11. The match ended 0-0 in front of an announced attendance of 29,188. Santos Laguna goalkeeper Carlos Acevedo saved Jamal Thiare’s penalty kick in the fourth round and JJ Macias converted Santos Laguna’s fifth to seal the win.
“It’s just a little bit too passive, and a little bit too pedestrian when we’re at home,” McCarty said. “And when we need to go, and we did we needed to go to breathe some life into the stadium, to bring some life into our fans who have, quite frankly, come out and supported us when we probably haven’t deserved it, hasn’t been good enough all year.”
Failing to advance out of the Leagues Cup is another preseason objective that Atlanta United will not achieve. It has already been knocked out of the U.S. Open Cup and, based upon its form, it’s unlikely that it will move from ninth in the East to fourth in its nine remaining MLS matches. Finishing in the top four was another goal. Atlanta United will resume play at L.A. Galaxy on Aug. 24.
It had only itself to blame on Sunday. Atlanta United put just three shots on goal against a team that had given up six goals in its past two matches.
“I‘m really disappointed that we didn’t advance in the tournament,” interim manager Rob Valentino said. “I think even in the games, both games we played, even though we didn’t have the greatest start against D.C., we did enough to win games. Ultimately, we didn’t lose and it goes down to penalties. And sometimes it goes your way. Sometimes it doesn’t.”
Valentino’s lineup was composed of Daniel Rios at striker with Xande Silva and Saba Lobjanidze on the wings, Tristan Muyumba, Bartosz Slisz and Jay Fortune in the midfield, Brooks Lennon and Pedro Amador, making his first start, as the fullbacks, Stian Gregersen and Luis Abram as the centerbacks, and Josh Cohen in goal.
The first half was void of exciting moments. Both teams played as if they didn’t mind if the match went to penalty kicks.
“I think they knew what was at stake,” Valentino said. “And ultimately, in those moments, it’s not about going crazy. It’s about staying composed and making sure you do enough to win the game.”
Thiare replaced Rios to start the second half. Rios sat down on the turf in the final minutes of the first half and appeared to grab his right leg. He stood and walked off the field and appeared ready to re-enter the game when halftime occurred. Valentino said Rios felt something in his hamstring.
The game began to increase in fervor in the second half after the very dull first half.
A series of yellow cards were issued in the 55th minute to Silva, Muyumba and Santos Laguna’s Jordan Carillo and Antony Lozano after packs of players came together following a tackle by Gregersen. Yellow cards had already been issued to Lennon and Valentino in the 11th minute. Another was issued to Santos Laguna’s Santiago Nunez for a tackle of Silva in the 61st minute.
Edwin Mosquera and Matthew Edwards subbed on in the 71st minute for Muyumba and Amador. Lobjanidze moved from the wing and became the attacking midfielder.
A Lobjanidze header was saved in the 73rd minute. He was played in from a cross by Mosquera. It was Atlanta United’s first clear chance in the match that wasn’t from a set piece.
McCarty replaced Fortune in the 79th minute. Firmino replaced Silva in the 89th minute as penalty kicks loomed.
Thiare had a chance in the fourth minute of stoppage time after he was played in by Lobjanidze, but the angle was too tight to put a shot on goal.
In penalty kicks, Santiago Munoz and Lobjanidze were successful in the first round. Antony Lozano and McCarty made their kicks in the second round. Santiago Nunez and Nic Firmino made their kicks in the third round. Franco Fagundez made his and Thiare’s was saved, giving Santos Laguna a 4-3 advantage that was sealed with Macias’ effort.
“Disjointed in the final third, little bit of a lack of aggression, struggled to create some chances,” McCarty said. “I just don’t see a team that creates enough moments, especially at home, to put the opposing team under pressure to get our fans excited to hear this place erupt like they’ve done since Atlanta United’s existence. It’s just felt too pedestrian at times. And that’s from that’s from top to bottom.”
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Atlanta United’s 2024 schedule
Feb. 24 Columbus 1, Atlanta United 0
March 9 Atlanta United 4, New England 1
March 17 Atlanta United 2, Orlando 0
March 23 Toronto 2, Atlanta United 0
March 31 Atlanta United 3, Chicago 0
April 6 Atlanta United 1, NYCFC 1
April 14 Atlanta United 2, Philadelphia 2
April 20 Cincinnati 2, Atlanta United 1
April 27 Atlanta United 1, Chicago 1
May 4 Minnesota 2, Atlanta United 1
May 7 Atlanta United 3, Charlotte Independence 0 in U.S. Open Cup
May 11 D.C. United 3, Atlanta United 2
May 15 Cincinnati 1, Atlanta United 0
May 18 Atlanta United 1, Nashville 1
May 21 Atlanta United 0 (5), Charleston 0 (4) in U.S. Open Cup
May 25 LAFC 1, Atlanta United 0
May 29 Atlanta United 3, Miami 1
June 2 Charlotte 3, Atlanta United 2
June 15 Atlanta United 2, Houston 2
June 19 Atlanta United 1, D.C. United 0
June 22 Atlanta United 1, St. Louis 1
June 29 Atlanta United 2, Toronto 1
July 3 New England 2, Atlanta United 1
July 6 Real Salt Lake 5, Atlanta United 2
July 9 vs. Indy Eleven 2, Atlanta United 1
July 13 Montreal 1, Atlanta United 0
July 17 Atlanta United 2, NYCFC 2
July 20 Atlanta United 2, Columbus 1
July 26 D.C. United 3 (6), Atlanta United 3 (5) in Leagues Cup
Aug. 4 vs. Santos Laguna in Leagues Cup, 4 p.m.
Aug. 24 at L.A. Galaxy, 10:30 p.m.
Aug. 31 at Charlotte, 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 14 vs. Nashville, 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 18 vs. Miami, 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 21 at Red Bulls, 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 28 at Philadelphia, 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 2 vs. Montreal, 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 5 vs. Red Bulls, 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 19 at Orlando, 6 p.m.
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