It was another difficult night at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium as Atlanta United FC slumbered to a 3-2 defeat against Real Salt Lake, extending their miserable start to the Major League Soccer season. Three games, three losses—an unwanted milestone that marks the worst start in franchise history for the Five Stripes.
The tension inside the stadium was evident from the opening whistle. What began as anxious support slowly turned into audible frustration as the match unfolded, with sections of the crowd voicing their displeasure moments before the final whistle. The performance was not without effort, but the lack of cohesion, creativity, and defensive sharpness once again proved costly.
After the match, head coach Gerardo Martino acknowledged the scale of the challenge ahead, suggesting that it may take at least two transfer windows to address the structural issues affecting the squad. That statement alone underscores the rebuilding task now facing the club. He even went as far as to draw a comparison to Inter Miami when he took over; it took two transfer windows to get results.
Shortly after his arrival, they won the League Cup and the Supporters’ Shield. Even though he parted ways, the project continued, and they won the MLS Cup last season, underscoring how instrumental he was in their success.
Below are the player ratings from a night that leaves Atlanta searching for answers ahead of their next clash against the Philadelphia Union.
ATLANTA UNITED FC FORMATION 4-3-3
Goalkeeper
Lucas Hoyas – 4/10
There was little the debutant goalkeeper could do about the goals conceded. Hoyas produced a couple of solid stops in the first half to keep Atlanta within reach and commanded his area well on set pieces. However, the defence in front of him struggled to provide protection, leaving him exposed on multiple occasions. Hoyas remains one of the few steady presences in an otherwise shaky start to the season.
Defenders
Tomas Jacob – 5/10
Jacob worked tirelessly down the right flank and attempted to stretch Real Salt Lake with overlapping runs. His delivery into the box, however, lacked the precision Atlanta needed. Defensively, he was occasionally caught too high up on the pitch, which allowed Salt Lake opportunities to counterattack.
Enea Mihaj – 5/10
The centre-back showed flashes of his usual composure. Mihaj was strong in aerial duels and made several key clearances. Still, the defensive line looked uncertain throughout the night, and the organisation that is trusted to redefine Atlanta’s backline was missing.
Juan Berrocal – 5/10
Berrocal had a challenging evening dealing with Real Salt Lake’s attacking movement. A few mistimed challenges and positioning issues allowed the visitors to exploit gaps in the defensive structure. For a centre back that lacked pace, he was caught too high on several occasions.
Elías Báez – 7/10
The young fullback showed energy and intent on the left side. Baez, in his first season, was one of the more progressive players for Atlanta, pushing forward and attempting to combine in wide areas. However, unlike many of his teammates, the final product was what produced the opening goal of the campaign.
Midfield
Tristan Muyumba – 6/10
Tristan Muyumba had moments where he broke up play effectively, but Atlanta struggled to control the midfield battle. Real Salt Lake’s pressing disrupted Atlanta’s build-up, forcing rushed passes and turnovers.
Cooper Sanchez – 5/10
Sanchez found it difficult to dictate the game’s tempo. Too often, Atlanta’s midfield lacked the creativity needed to unlock the opposition defence, leaving the attack isolated.
Steven Alzate– 6.5/10
Once again, Alzate, the little Colombian wizard, was Atlanta’s brightest attacking spark. The Colombian playmaker tried to carry the team forward with clever touches and quick turns between the lines. He created the team’s best chance of the match from midfield, but without consistent support around him, his influence faded in the second half.
Forwards
Aleksey Miranchuk – 9/10
Miranchuk showed glimpses of his brilliant best in pace and creativity. His moments help him to find space in the final third to register a brace in his first start of the new campaign.
Emmanuel Latte Lath – 7/10
The Ivory Coast striker had a frustrating evening. Latte Lath received limited service and was forced to drop deeper to get involved in the build-up. When the chances did come, they were half-opportunities rather than clear scoring moments. His pace and relentless work ethic saw him pick up an assist.
Miguel Almiron– 8/10
Miguel Almiron, now in his second season since his return, worked hard defensively and was largely influential in the attacking third. Real Salt Lake’s defence had its hands full with some of his marauding runs. Very unlucky not to be on the score sheet.
Substitutes
The substitutes brought energy but could not shift the match’s momentum. Atlanta’s issues appear systemic rather than individual—something Gerardo Martino openly acknowledged after the match.
A Club Searching for Direction
Three games into the Major League Soccer season, Atlanta United finds itself in unfamiliar territory. The club that once defined attacking soccer in MLS now looks short on ideas and confidence. The early boos from the home crowd reflect a fan base accustomed to higher standards.
Martino’s comments about needing two transfer windows to fix the squad highlight the scale of the rebuild ahead. Whether that timeline proves accurate remains to be seen, but the current form suggests Atlanta is far from competing with the league’s top teams.
There is little time to dwell on the defeat. Next up is a crucial home match against the Philadelphia Union on Saturday at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Philadelphia arrives under pressure after a slow start that has already seen its fans express frustration.
For Atlanta, the stakes are simple: find a response—or risk watching the early season spiral even further out of control.
Thanks, Miles, keep supporting the place for all football news.
Excellent article, well written!