There is one way to best sum up Atlanta United’s victory on Wednesday night: it’s a win that’s actually a loss that felt like a win. Atlanta beat Monterrey 1-0, becoming the first team to defeat Rayados in 2019. However, the 1-0 win wasn’t enough to advance in the CONCACAF Champions League, losing 3-1 on aggregate. And yet, the overall loss felt like a win because of the way Atlanta played.
Atlanta’s 1-1 result against Cincinnati just days before was extremely disappointing. The coaches knew it, the players knew it, and the fans knew it.