Maddie's Version: Atlanta United Showed Something in Chicago. It Has to Be Something to Build On.

Atlanta United fall 1-0 to the Chicago Fire, and overall I do think this was a good performance from the Five Stripes. One of the better ones we've seen this season.

Atlanta United was better defensively Saturday night, but Chicago converted in one moment that decided the match. (photo: ATLUTD)

The goal came in the 13th minute and it came against the run of play. Chicago found their moment, but after that I felt like Atlanta were the better team for the rest of the match. That's just one of those moments that can happen in this league, and unfortunately it was the one that decided the game.

Now, the attacking third is still a question for me. Atlanta had 20 shots, six on target, and I think when you look at that you have to ask who is going to be the person to find the goals. Who is going to step forward and make something happen? That answer is still something this team is searching for.

Not having Alexey Miranchuk in this game was a massive loss, and I think he is so underestimated and underappreciated for what he brings to this attack. You saw it today. You saw exactly why he is needed in this squad, the development of a play, being on the end of a play. He changes things.

But there also has to be other players making runs inside the box. Alexey said it in training this week, a lot of players want to build with their feet, but someone has to be making the run behind. Someone has to be getting into the box to get on the end of those balls. That has to be Latte Lath. That has to be Miguel Almirón. We need to see them get more involved in the attack in those spots.

Cooper Sanchez started in the midfield and was very effective pressing to win the ball back. (photo: ATLUTD)

What I did love from this match is the fight. The effort. That response after giving up a goal is something we've seen a lot from this group over the past couple of years, and on Saturday that fight never stopped. You saw players playing a little more free, taking some risks. I think you need to see more of that, especially in the attack, but it was there and it was real.

When you look at this performance overall and you look at the positive side of it, you can take away that fight, that response, and you have to build on it. Take the positives from this match and continue to push forward. The work now is turning these positive performances into better results on the pitch.