ATLUTD Academy shines, Atlanta United Draws 1-1 and ATLUTD 2 Rained Out in a Jam Packed Weekend for the Five Stripes

The weekend started with ATLUTD's Academy taking the field as the U-18s and the U-16s hosted Inter Miami. Jason Longshore and Jarrett Smith give you their thoughts on both matches.

ATLUTD vs Inter Miami U-18s: 1-1

Atlanta United’s U 18‘s battled back to earn a draw with Inter Miami Saturday morning. Isaiah Vicentti tied to the match in the second half on a beautiful flick from Adyn Torres. Braden Dunham was the man of the match for his defensive efforts and getting the team forward, even making runs into the attacking third late to try to find a winning goal. It was a very interesting tactical match with two teams that had to adapt to one another, and both squads handled the intensity and the pressure very well.

ATLUTD vs Inter Miami U-16s: 6-1

Atlanta United’s U16s showed their class and tenacity in a 6-1 win over Miami. Andres Alvarez and Amir Henry led the way contributing to multiple goals each over 90 minutes, but it was Atlanta’s response after halftime that was the most impressive. Despite outplaying Miami at halftime, the score was still just 2-1, but Atlanta ratcheted up the pressure and effort as they put the game away with a mature and professional performance.

Atlanta United vs FC Dallas: 1-1

Later on that evening, Atlanta United faced FC Dallas where the Five Stripes earned a point in a 1-1 draw at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

After a few early shots from FC Dallas, Atlanta found a few of their own and created a lot of chances.

Tristan Muyumba floated a ball past Dallas' backline which found Latte Lath making a run into the box. While fighting for the ball in the box, Osaze Urhoghide pulls Latte Lath down and Atlanta is awarded a penalty in the 16th minute.

Miguel Almirón stepped up to the spot and drilled it passed Maarten Paes in the bottom left corner of the goal to give Atlanta the lead. This is Almirón second goal of the season and his 23rd all-time for the Five Stripes. He is now tied for second with Thiago Almada for goals scored in the Red and Black.

Atlanta continued to hold Dallas off, but Dallas would find the equalizer in the 60th minute. This was their first shot on target in the match.

“I just said to the players that obviously I am very, very disappointed. We should [have put that match away], and we should have had more clear-cut chances, because we had so much play around the [FC Dallas] box, so that is somewhere we can improve," said Head Coach Ronny Deila after the match. "At the same time, I also saw a lot of improvement out of the team, because I saw more possession, and more possession in their half and inside their box. Again though, they get one chance, and they scored on it."

Luciano Acosta found Peter Musa in the box and his initial shot is blocked as Stian Gregersen slides in to block it, but the deflected ball falls back to Musa who finds the back of the net.

"They had maybe two shots from outside the 18-yard box, that really looked like the only clear chances to me during the whole match. Defensively, we were compact, but we still gave them that opportunity. I thought our subs were able to get into the match and were pushing [FC Dallas] for 20 minutes, so I think we should have scored," said Deila. "We had so many chances where the second pass was right at the goalkeeper, or the cross was not accurate enough, and these are areas that we have to be sharper. Again, I see improvement in a lot of things, but it is very frustrating not to win this match.”

Atlanta would continue to create opportunities, but couldn't find the game-winner.

"I think we need to be clinical in the final third. We are creating so many chances that is the real truth, but also we need to be honest and we need to be clinical, especially the first 20 minutes and the last 20 minutes of the whole game," said Ronald Hernandez after the match to SDH. "We were in the front foot, the kind of thing that we want to be, and that final touch is missing. I think it's frustrating because we did things very well. That's why it's not because negative things. We need to put things together and keep working, keep working. We have the potential and we need to believe it."

Atlanta United is back at Mercedes-Benz Stadium Saturday, April 12 when the New England Revolution at 2:45 p.m.

Atlanta United 2 vs Inter Miami II: Postponed

Atlanta United 2 was originally set to kick off at 7:30 p.m. on Sunday, April 6, but the match was moved up to 12:00 p.m. Unfortunately, the match was postponed and will resume tomorrow at 11:00 a.m. at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. This match is closed door and will be streamed. You can listen to the match on soccerdownhere.mixlr.com starting at 10:50 a.m.

The match was stopped at the 25th minute and it was tied 1-1. Inter Miami II would get on the board early as Mateo Saja found the back of the net in the 3rd minute.

Three minutes later, Atlanta would equalize after capitalizing off of a turnover casued by Cayman Togashi a few yards outside the 18 yard box. Moises Tablante from the far left side of the 18 would slot the ball up in the goal.

We will have coverage of the match tomorrow on SDH Networks socials!