Final Whistle: Atlanta United Offensive Problems Continue In Home Loss To Columbus
- Jon Nelson
- 2 hours ago
- 3 min read
Columbus Crew had only scored one goal in the month of March- flipping their identity from February where they scored four in their first two matches. The defense for Atlanta United had shown progress. It was up to the offense to follow suit.
The defense for Columbus seemed to figure out what first-year head coach Henrik Rydstrom was asking of them and continued to keep opponents without opportunity. It took Atlanta United, roughly, until the tenth minute to even have presence in the Crew defensive third.
In the 14th minute, the Five Stripes finally had a chance to settle the offense into the match, sending a ball over the top that just missed Elias Baez on the connection at the far post.
Malte Amundsen stepped up into the play, reminiscent of the 2025 Crew, and launched a shot at the far post. Defensively, Atlanta United had moments of repelling Columbus from getting on the board with Stian Gregersen, Tomas Jacob, and Miguel Almiron stepping into the play- the final ball still missing for United a quarter of the match gone.
Lucas Hoyos was called into duty with a punch clearance on a shot in the 22nd minute and tried to get the offense moving going long with outlet passes skipping lines. The first official shot on target came in the 34th minute as Steven Alzate tested Patrick Shulte four minutes after Elias Baez tried the same.
A key moment in the match happened in the 35th minute on an Alzate cross as Max Arfsten started a domino effect of United players going down inside the six with a push from behind. A penalty wasn't called and VAR was not offering any kind of review. The match would stay scoreless after another Hoyos save in the 38th and Tomas Jacob would try and create another chance that Miguel Almiron would send high of the net on a volleyed shot.
Crew had six first half shots compared to two for Atlanta United and the two teams had a combined xG of .23.
Columbus made it difficult early in the match but Atlanta United seemed to find moments of success- just missing the final pass. The second half would be equally telling as the match launched from a goalless draw into several talking points going forward.
All of the goals happened in the second half as Wessam Abou Ali would show why the Crew invested $7.5-million in his transfer from Al-Ahly. He would be on the end of serviced from Max Arfsten for a header in the 49th minute for a 1-0 lead- scoring 5 minutes later on a rocket that would go past Lucas Hoyos to double the lead.
Atlanta United would go to the bench with 30 minutes to go bringing in Cooper Sanchez and Jay Fortune for Will Reilly and Tristan Muyumba. The fresh legs would help Atlanta United get on the scoreboard as Miguel Almiron found Baez on the left. A shot from distance was saved by Schulte. Miggy tried to slam home the parried save and Alexei Miranchuk would get the third opportunity to close the margins to 2-1.
On the ensuing kickoff, Columbus would go over the top down their attacking right over Elias Baez. Max Arfsten would slide at the back post receiving a cross and the margin would go back to two at 3-1.
Atlanta United would continue to be frustrated trying to climb back in the match not registering a shot in the remainder of the match- and that would include the initial eleven minutes of stoppage.
That number of eleven would increase end at fourteen as a late whistle on a collision between teams in the Columbus attacking half led to a coming together of both teams along the benches.
Eventually, Tata Martino would get a red card and Crew head coach Henrik Rydstrom and Dylan Chambost would both get yellows in the fracas. The MLS Disciplinary Committee will, certainly, be busy with the after-effects.
Conclusion: The homestand now over, Atlanta United will now have to answer questions internally in short order. With a trip to Chicago- a traditionally difficult place to play- and a trip to Chattanooga in Open Cup coming up in the Round of 32, there is little time to address what was seen by the staff and the players.