MLS: Atlanta United Fail to Break Down DC United in Goalless Draw
- Calum Ewing
- 9 hours ago
- 4 min read
Credit: Atlanta United
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Atlanta United could not carry over positive momentum from their win last weekend, struggling offensively in a 0-0 stalemate against Eastern Conference foe DC United.
With an all time record of 10-7-3 against DC United coming into the match and two straight draws in 2025, the Five Stripes were hoping to add to the all-time success with an unchanged starting lineup from the 3-1 win against Philadelphia Union last week. After a goal each from Alexey Miranchuk (3 on the season) and Emmanuel Latte Lath, Miguel Almiron joined them with 3 assists in the last outing, still looking for his first goal of the year. Cooper Sanchez and Matias Galarza held down the midfield after strong performances, and Stian Gregersen stayed in the backline pair with Juan Berrocal injured. This was Gregersen and Miranchuk’s 50th start in their Atlanta United career, the 29th and 30th players in club history to reach that mark.
Credit: Atlanta United
Tristan Muyumba spoke with me last week about how Atlanta’s movement into space, whether it be him dropping into the backline or other midfielders pushing wide, was focused on “always having an overload” against the opposition. For the first twenty-five minutes of the match, the home side went to work to create these overloads and break down a stiff defensive shape from DC United. The away side would stay compact in Atlanta’s defensive half as a 4-2-4, but then would shift with the ball in their own half in a 5-2-3. However, Atlanta controlled possession throughout, had good combination play transitioning from the middle to attacking third, and created a few chances, the best being a Cooper Sanchez half-volley outside the box that forced a diving save by MLS journeyman goalkeeper Sean Johnson.
After that, both sides entered a stalemate. DC did a better job cutting off through balls and causing problems during build up play, while Atlanta made crucial tackles to eliminate threats in the final third but struggled with the final pass on counter attacks. The opponent’s ability to drop numbers back quickly in the final third was proving essential, and even with 66% of possession in the first half, Atlanta had an expected goals count of just 0.12 on 4 shots (2 on target). The Eagles of DC were not much better, with an even worse 0.05 xG on just one shot (off target). In a stark contrast to Nashville SC’s 5 goal explosion against Orlando City, this match was 0-0 at halftime, both sides needing a creative spark to get 3 points.
Credit: Atlanta United
There wouldn’t be signs of a spark at all for the first 15 minutes of the restart. Atlanta again controlled the majority of possession, but DC United forced them wide often and cut off passes into the box. DC would surprisingly create the first big chance of the second half in the 61st minute, when Jackson Hopkins’ shot from the right side of the box was saved by Lucas Hoyos diving to his right.
The back and forth with no chances on goal continued. There weren’t even half-chances created! In hopes of a spark, Atlanta subbed on Steven Alzate for Cooper Sanchez in the 65th minute and Saba Lobjanidze for Matias Galarza in the 74th minute. DC United brought on Caden Clark for Joao Peglow in the 67th minute and Gavin Turner with Hosei Kijima for Jackson Hopkins and
These subs did not affect the game until the 80th minute. Good combination play saw the ball quickly moved down the left line from Saba Lobjanidze to Elias Baez to Miguel Almiron to Steven Alzate with space in the left side of the box. His ball accross missed Latte Lath, but it did meet Tomas Jacob with loads of space on the right. With the ball bouncing towards him, he completely whiffed on his half-volley effort, extinguishing the threat.
DC United’s best chance of the match came three minutes later thanks to two substitutes. Slow play forward saw Hosei Kijima cut inside from the right and play a ball to the top of the arc to the feet of Caden Clark. With way too much space to shoot, he hit a very slow rolling effort that hit off the right post, smacked Hoyos in the back of the head, and luckily went wide.
The Red and Black hit the woodwork again four minutes later. Off of a corner, Brandon Servania received the ball in loads of space. Rolling it forward, he struck a shot from at least 30 yards out that floated onto the top left of the crossbar, leaving Hoyos on the ground in a fallen heap.
There would be no more tries to be had at goal for either side before the final whistle blew, and it left some fans booing Atlanta as they left Mercedes Benz Stadium having witnessed a rough 0-0 draw. It was a starch contrast to the performances in the attack over the last two weeks at home, but it did gain the Five Stripes a point to lift them to 4 total on the season, a 1-1-3 record, and 9th place in the East as of the time of writing. DC will likely be happy with their away result in one of MLS’ fortresses, which helped them reach 6th place on 7 points and a 2-1-2 record.
Next week, Atlanta United will be off for the international break and will return to action at home on April 4 at 7:30pm against a winless Columbus Crew.
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