Absolutely disgusting performance from Atlanta. I've no delusion about their level this year but that display today was effin' abysmal. FdB had better tear into his team. No creativity. No urgency. No killer instinct once up a man. A golden opportunity wasted, and the momentum and enthusiasm from this streak is now brought back to zero. Tito and Pity should hang their heads today. Kudos to NY for grinding it out. F***.
Tito and Pity were off today something fierce. Pity still fishing for penalties instead of powering through a tough play. Neither of them was worth a cent in breaking down the defense. Verily, this team is still struggling mightily against compact, resolute defenses. Given the alleged attacking talent at hand this shouldn't be such an issue, but then again when players spend so much time walking or flopping... What a waste of a chance.
How many times is this team going to lose points because of isolated defensive errors?! By my recollection at the moment that's at least the 5th goal this season that shouldn't have been allowed to happen. And by my count 17 unforced giveaways today. Yay.
Bottom line, if Atlanta comes back Friday and plays with the anger and hustle we've come to favor and gets 3 pts I can overlook today as an aberration. One game does not a season make. But they absolutely need to show they can learn from this or making the playoffs, let alone going on a deep run, will be a tall order. They need to be ruthless on situations like today, not timid. And they absolutely need to show they can play with the better, tougher teams, lest this side be called a paper tiger. F***, part 2.
Makes me wonder if the supporters shield is out of reach now... Technically, if we lose three more games then we will have matched all the games we lost in 2018. And, LAFC look like they’re not slowing down for anyone... I don’t see this team losing no less than three games the rest of the season.
I'M the shield was lost with the home loss to FCD on top of the home draws to Philly and Cincy. The Stripes basically dug a hole for themselves with those lost points. I'm not asking for the Shield or even another MLS Cup this season, but I do think it absolutely imperative that the side hosts/wins a playoff match, as evidence that they are positioning themselves as a perennial contender and that this personnel can compete for honors. I'm grateful the MLS is oriented around parity but so long as Atlanta has a financial and marketing advantage I want them to take advantage of those much like Seattle has done.
Pity squanders that cross from Shea and Guz makes a complete mess on the Red Bulls' goal. Oh what might have been. <sigh>
We have got to start scoring goals. We are creating good chances, but no one seems to be able to score. I keep thinking the law of averages will catch up and we will have a goalapalooza game, but yet the drought continues. It is very frustrating.
Here's the telling stat: Despite playing a man up for 55 minutes Atlanta managed a meager 13 shots total, only 2 of which were on target. Shorthanded NY not only managed the same # on target but also got one into the net. Given their anemic offensive productivity this season Atlanta HAS to put the ball on target at least 5 times a game if they want to score and win. Especially when up a man.
Josef needs to regain that killer instinct. The 2018 version of Josef Martinez would have had 2 goals yesterday, easily.
I hear you. I want the man to score and normally I’m highly critical of Josef because he’s been guilty of walking around lazily and pretending he’s the second coming of Jan Koller that will just score with his head if our players can cross it into the box... However, recently he has worked his ass off. It’s hard to score without service, and Pity offers nothing.
If the attack doesn't figure out how to beat a bunker it would be better for Atlanta to have their playoff games on the road. It's telling that the two best offensive games for Atlanta were on the road. I don't think Atlanta has scored two goals in one game at home. I'd be fine with Romario going to the Gold Cup, he needs the minutes, but I really hope the rest get to stay home. As for Pity, with what's happened with Barco I'm going to give him time. Barco was a disappointment last year. This year he's our best attacking player. Pity has too much talent to not to figure it out. It's not like the rest of the attack has been helping him out.
He has also smacked a couple off the post and had a beautiful diving header that was saved during that 3 shot assault in Vancouver, so it isn't like another goal isn't coming. He needs to be out there for his free kick ability alone.