Atlanta United’s First MLS Test Ends in 2-1 Loss to Columbus

Starting Lineup

Atlanta United’s first match against MLS opposition started with the promise of Josef Martinez and Tito Villalba. It ended with Columbus Crew SC showing how much work still remained before opening day.

Atlanta lost 2-1 to Columbus on Saturday afternoon at MUSC Health Stadium in Charleston, S.C., in the opening match of the Carolina Challenge Cup, Charleston Battery’s preseason tournament. Federico Higuain scored twice in five minutes in the second half to turn the match after Josef Martinez had given Atlanta an early lead.

It was Atlanta’s second match as a club and its first against an MLS opponent. Atlanta showed enough in the opening 15 minutes to make the attacking plan visible. The press created problems, Josef Martinez and Tito Villalba combined for the opening goal, and Miguel Almirón gave the front line another connector. Columbus still had the more complete performance, especially as the match moved past Atlanta’s early pressure.

1st Half

Tata Martino kept most of the same group from the 4-0 win over Chattanooga. Alec Kann started in goal behind Tyrone Mears, Michael Parkhurst, Leandro González Pirez and Greg Garza. Jeff Larentowicz and Chris McCann started in midfield. Tito Villalba, Josef Martinez and Miguel Almirón worked underneath Kenwyne Jones.

The one change was Martinez coming in for Yamil Asad, who did not dress because of a minor calf contusion. That moved Martinez just behind Jones, pushed Almirón slightly toward the left, and kept Villalba on the right.

The adjustment gave Atlanta its first match with all three Designated Players in the attack. The opening goal came from two of them.

In the sixth minute, Martinez fed Villalba down the right side of the penalty area and continued his run into the box. Villalba drove a low ball across goal, and Martinez met it with a diving header to the far post.

It was Martinez’s second goal in two preseason matches, and it came from the kind of quick attacking sequence Atlanta wanted to create.

The first 15 minutes were Atlanta’s best stretch. The press bothered Columbus, Atlanta found space quickly after turnovers, and the Martinez-Villalba connection gave the expansion side the lead.

Martino said afterward that the opening spell showed what Atlanta wanted to be.

Columbus settled into the match after that. Ethan Finlay, Adam Jahn, Higuain and Justin Meram all found looks before halftime. Atlanta still carried the 1-0 lead into the break, but the game had already started to shift.

Parkhurst said Higuain and Meram found the pockets that made Atlanta defend deeper than it wanted.

2nd Half

Columbus didn’t let up after the break. Two minutes into the second half, Justin Meram chipped a ball into Adam Jahn, but Kann made the save. Four minutes later, Jahn had another chance with his head, and Kann held that one too.

Atlanta had a chance to stretch the lead in the 52nd minute. Miguel Almirón hit a swerving shot from distance, forcing Zack Steffen into a save and giving Atlanta one of its better second-half looks.

But the match changed in the 57th minute. Higuain chased Kann as the Atlanta goalkeeper tried to play long. Kann rushed the clearance, Higuain charged it down, and the ball deflected into the net to make it 1-1.

Kann said Tyrone Mears was open on the side, but Higuain came from his blind side and forced the rushed ball.

Five minutes later, Columbus had the lead. Meram drove a ball across the face of goal from the left side, and Higuain headed it in for his second goal of the match.

Atlanta went to the bench after the two Columbus goals. Mark Bloom replaced Garza, Julian Gressel came on for Jones, and Jacob Peterson replaced Villalba. Harrison Heath and Andrew Carleton entered later for Larentowicz and McCann.

Gressel gave Atlanta some energy in the final half hour, but Atlanta did not find an equalizer. Columbus closed out the match and handed Atlanta its first preseason loss.

Closing Thoughts

The result gave Atlanta a useful first read on several of its most important players.

Martinez had the clearest attacking moment. His run into the box and diving header gave Atlanta the lead and showed why he was added to the front line. Villalba gave Atlanta width and the final ball from the right. Almirón had a quieter night, but his second-half shot still forced Zack Steffen into one of Columbus’ few difficult saves.

Jones gave Atlanta a reference point up front, though the attack did not produce enough after the opening goal. Gressel brought energy off the bench and gave Atlanta one of its better substitute performances.

The defensive picture was more mixed. Kann made enough saves to keep Atlanta ahead into the second half, then his mistake gave Columbus the equalizer. Parkhurst and the back line had to manage a Columbus attack that found room between the lines through Higuain and Meram. Those two players caused most of the problems that turned the match.

The harder lesson came after the first 15 minutes. Columbus found more of the ball, used Higuain and Meram between the lines, and forced Atlanta to defend deeper than it wanted. Kann made the saves that kept Atlanta ahead, then gave Columbus the mistake that tied the match.

That is the value of this kind of preseason game. Atlanta saw what its attack could become. It also saw how quickly an MLS opponent could punish the gaps.

The next test comes Wednesday night against Seattle Sounders FC.