Atlanta United’s disappointing start to the 2019 season continued on Sunday night with another 1-1 draw at home to a team they probably should be beating. The Five Stripes fell behind early in the second half, but substitute Ezequiel Barco rescued a point about 20 minutes from full-time. Here are a few thoughts on the match:
Once again Frank de Boer decided to experiment with the team’s shape and tactics. However, unlike against Monterrey, the changes didn’t have the desired effect. If you need an example of just how confusing and weird the team’s shape was in the first half there’s this: The game began with Eric Remedi lined up as a wide left midfielder in a 3-4-3 diamond and the first half ended with Michael Parkhust playing as left back in a back four formation.