Atlanta controlled less of the game than the scoreline suggests. What they controlled was the right part of it. Before the first ball was kicked Saturday night, the tactical shape of the match was already clear. Montréal under interim head coach Philippe Eullaffroy had simplified considerably from what Marco Donadel was attempting earlier in the season. The idea was pragmatic: sit compact, surrender possession voluntarily, defend with numbers, and punish Atlanta in transition

Atlanta United needed to keep stacking wins after the Toronto result and the Open Cup. And tonight, against Montréal, they did exactly that. Three goals, three points, and a performance that felt like more than just a result. It was a weird start, though. I have to be honest about that. Montréal scored in the sixth minute, and it came off a giveaway. Atlanta was too slow building out of the back, and Montréal does not press high unless they absolutely have to. Atlanta got cau

Atlanta United held 55% possession and completed 535 passes against Nashville SC but created zero big chances. The Long View breaks down the xG gap, the compactness numbers, and why this loss was more than a bad night.