It was a busy weekend for the Five Stripes. Let’s go over everything you might have missed in MLS Next Pro and Leagues Cup action.
Atlanta United’s Leagues Cup Journey Comes To An End
Atlanta United played to a scoreless draw against Santos Laguna in their second Leagues Cup match. Santos won the penalty shootout 5-3 to earn the extra point and won the head-to-head to move on to the knockout stage.
It was a very quiet first half from both sides. Atlanta was able to create some opportunities in the final third, but couldn’t find the back of the net. In the second half, neither team could find a goal, but Santos created many dangerous opportunities. Santos Laguna had 12 shots and 6 of those were on target and Atlanta had 10 shots with 3 on target.
“We need to be more solid in the back. We need to be stronger in the postseason. All 11 players, not only the defense,” said Daniel Ríos. “If we don’t make mistakes on defense, if we don’t concede goals, I’m sure we’ll score goals and we’ll start to win games.”
After 90 minutes, it was a scoreless draw, and then each team went into the shootout to see who would advance to the knockout stage.
Each side traded successful attempts until Jamal Thiare took the fourth penalty and his shot was saved. Santos Laguna would take the next penalty and advance to the knockout stage.
“It is disappointment. They wanted to advance just as much as I did, I’m sure, and at the end of the day, there is that, but I also told them, ‘I’m going for the playoffs, and I hope they are there with me,’” said Interim Head Coach Rob Valentino. “I think they are, and I believe it is a group that that is what they want as well, so again, we will dust ourselves off and no one is going to feel sorry for us, but we will continue to move forward like we always have.”
Atlanta United will have 19 days off to reset and get focused on finishing out the MLS regular season strong, and make it to the playoffs.
"Refresh our mindset, because it was a tough moment, but now we have three weeks. Then off to the next game. We have to prepare very good, because we still have nine games left in the league,” said Bartosz Slisz. “We're going to fight until the end for the playoffs. I swear that we're going to give everything to play these playoffs, and it will be our target.”
Atlanta United is back on Sunday, August 24th as they go on the road to face off against LA Galaxy at 10:30 p.m.
Alan Carleton Brace Leads Atlanta United 2 to Victory
Atlanta United 2 secured another three points at home on Saturday against New England Revolution II.
In the 13th minute, Noble Okello delivered a cross to Erik Centeno on the right wing, and found Karim Tmimi in the box who dove into the 6-yard box to head it into the back of the net.
It would remain 1-0 until the 36th minute when Okello passed Alan Carleton the ball at midfield. Carleton launched the ball outside the 18-yard box to find the back of the net. This was Carleton’s first professional goal, and it was a GOLAZO.
“As a person, he's exceptional, and we've actually been encouraging him a lot more to shoot and to go forward because technically is absolutely fantastic. I just think sometimes he seems happier giving other people the limelight and giving other people the attempts at goal,” said head Coach Steve Cooke. “I think I was really pleased for him tonight just to take that opportunity. He's a fantastic player technically and his game understanding is outstanding.”
Carleton’s night wasn’t done yet. Two minutes later, he would secure a brace when Rodrigo Neri won a challenge, beat Revolution defenders on the right flank, and found Carleton wide open on the counterattack to make it 3-0.
“It felt good,” said Alan Carleton after the match. “Obviously, my first two career goals, and they happened back-to-back. It was crazy. My mind was still going crazy from the first one, so I had to calm it down when Rodrigo played me that pass. Everything was going so fast, but it felt good. I was so excited.”
Three minutes into the second half, The Revolution made it 3-1 when Alex Monis whipped a cross to Liam Butts who’s shot found the back of the net.
Not long after that, The Revolution would earn a penalty kick when Javier Armas challenged a Revs attacker in the box, but Jayden Hibbert was able to stop Monis from making it 3-2.
In the 69th minute, Monis would find that goal when he took a shot 20-yards out and the ball would bounce before it slipped past Hibbert. The score would remain 3-2, and Atlanta would come out with three points.
“We got out of jail for free because all through the game, I don’t think we played that well. First half, obviously we scored goals, but I think we were a bit flattered by the score line and then second-half, obviously we conceded early and I'm just really disappointed with that,” said Cooke. “We're going to have to regroup, take a look at this one tomorrow and see where we go because we've got Toronto coming into town. Another performance like that and it likely won't be the same results.”
Atlanta United 2 is back at Fifth Third Stadium to take on Toronto FC II on Sunday, August 11 at 7:30 p.m. Pregame coverage will start at 7:00 p.m. on the SDH Network.
✍️: Madison Crews
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