Atlanta United off to the worst start in franchise history

Atlanta United’s search for its first result of the 2026 season continues for another week.

The Five Stripes fell 3–2 to Real Salt Lake on Saturday night at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, dropping the club to 0-3-0 to begin the year - the worst start in franchise history.

Before the match began, the planned supporters’ tifo failed to fully deploy - a small moment, but one that wound up feeling oddly fitting by the end of the night.

The scoreline only tells part of the story. Atlanta controlled much of the match statistically and looked sharp through the opening twenty minutes, circulating the ball well and repeatedly finding ways into the attacking third. But the same pattern that haunted the club throughout 2025 resurfaced again: individual defensive mistakes punished immediately in transition.

Real Salt Lake needed only a handful of moments to take control of the match. Three quick strikes before halftime forced Atlanta to chase the game for more than an hour, and despite a brace from Alexey Miranchuk, the early damage proved too much to overcome.

The performance showed improvement compared with Atlanta’s first two matches of the season. It also exposed the same underlying problem.

When Atlanta loses concentration, opponents do not need many chances.

Player Notes

Starting lineup

• GK: Lucas Hoyos
• Back line: Elías Báez, Juan Berrocal, Enea Mihaj, Tomás Jacob
• Midfield: Tristan Muyumba, Steven Alzate, Cooper Sanchez
• Front line: Alexey Miranchuk, Miguel Almirón (c), Emmanuel Latte Lath

Unavailable Players

• Chong-Qui - Knee
• Fortune - Foot
• Reilly - Hamstring

The 1st 45’

Atlanta began the night with energy and intent.

From the opening whistle the Five Stripes pushed numbers forward, working quick one-touch passes through midfield while fullbacks Tomás Jacob and Elías Báez advanced high up the flanks. Tristan Muyumba and Cooper Sanchez controlled possession centrally, and Atlanta repeatedly looked to release Emmanuel Latte Lath with balls over the top.

The movement between the DPs was particularly encouraging. Miguel Almirón and Miranchuk combined well in the half spaces, while Latte Lath stayed high to stretch the Real Salt Lake back line. Atlanta created several promising early moments. Almirón nearly converted a breakaway after being dragged down on the edge of midfield in the 18th minute, and Miranchuk forced space for a shot just outside the box minutes later.

Then the match turned.

Real Salt Lake opened the scoring in the 23rd minute. Guilavogui outpaced Muyumba in the RSL defensive third and delivered a perfectly weighted through ball that released Solans behind Berrocal. Muyumba had a chance to disrupt the run but did not fully engage, allowing the play to develop. Solans finished calmly past Hoyos to silence the crowd. It was the first professional goal of his career.

Four minutes later the visitors struck again. Solans chipped the ball forward to Hezarkhani, who brought it down between Jacob and Mihaj. He sidestepped to his right and shot around Mihaj, placing the ball perfectly into the top-left corner. Hoyos was positioned well but could not get enough height on his jump.

Atlanta briefly responded.

In the 38th minute Cooper Sanchez and Báez combined to set up Miranchuk, who arrived at the top of the box and blasted a left-footed shot into the corner for his first MLS goal of the season. Báez’s pass slipped through the defense and found Miranchuk alone at the edge of the box.

However, the momentum lasted barely two minutes.

Real Salt Lake answered immediately when Zavier Gozo carried the ball into Atlanta’s penalty box and curled a long shot past Hoyos to restore the two-goal cushion. Gozo was allowed time throughout the run without being challenged effectively.

Atlanta entered halftime trailing 3–1 despite controlling possession and outshooting the visitors through much of the half.

All three of Salt Lake’s goals came in transition.

The 2nd 45’ -

Atlanta spent the second half chasing the match.

Real Salt Lake dropped deeper after the break, slowing the tempo and forcing Atlanta to break down a compact defensive block. For long stretches the visitors were content to circulate possession and absorb pressure while Atlanta searched for openings.

Substitute Matías Galarza made his club debut shortly before the hour mark and immediately added energy in midfield. The Paraguayan midfielder covered ground quickly and helped Atlanta regain territorial control. Despite the pressure, clear chances were limited.

Atlanta finally pulled a goal back in the 74th minute. A through ball from Muyumba sent Latte Lath into the box along the left side. While being pushed off balance, he delivered a low cross across goal where Miranchuk arrived for a simple finish to complete his first MLS brace. The goal ignited the crowd and sparked Atlanta’s most aggressive stretch of the night.

Saba Lobjanidze and Matthew Edwards entered shortly after as Atlanta pushed numbers forward, while Miguel Almirón drifted centrally in search of the equalizer. But Real Salt Lake managed the final minutes effectively. The visitors slowed the tempo, used substitutions to disrupt Atlanta’s flow, and absorbed the late pressure. Atlanta pushed forward through six minutes of stoppage time but could not find the final moment.

The match ended with boos heard around Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

The Numbers Tell It

Statistically, Atlanta controlled the match.

The Five Stripes held 58 percent possession, attempted 702 passes to Salt Lake’s 427, and outshot the visitors 16 to 10. Atlanta also produced the better chances, finishing with 1.88 expected goals compared to Salt Lake’s 1.30, while delivering 14 crosses to Salt Lake’s none.

On most nights, those numbers point to an Atlanta victory. But soccer games are rarely decided by volume alone. Real Salt Lake finished its chances. Atlanta did not. Real Salt Lake needed only a handful of moments. Atlanta needed far more.

Individual Impressions

• Alexey Miranchuk - The most effective attacking player on the field. Miranchuk moved freely across the front line, constantly searching for space between defenders. His two goals kept Atlanta within reach and highlighted the chemistry beginning to develop among the attacking group.

• Miguel Almirón - Active throughout the match but struggled to maintain control in tight spaces. Almirón consistently found dangerous positions but was often dispossessed before getting a pass off.

• Emmanuel Latte Lath - Positionally much improved from earlier matches. Latte Lath stayed high up the pitch and operated as the focal point of Atlanta’s attack, stretching Salt Lake’s back line rather than dropping into midfield. He provided the assist on Miranchuk’s second goal, but despite finding good attacking positions he finished the night with just one shot on target.

• Elías Báez - Atlanta’s most reliable defender on the night. Báez contributed an assist and repeatedly tracked back to stop Salt Lake counters. Both defensively and going forward he was Atlanta’s strongest presence along the back line.

• Tristan Muyumba - One of his best performances in months. Muyumba controlled large stretches of midfield from a deeper position, moving the ball quickly and repeatedly looking for long through passes to release Atlanta’s forwards. His hesitation in the buildup to Salt Lake’s opening goal was a costly moment, but overall it was one of his sharper performances in months.

• Cooper Sanchez - Started the match brightly and was heavily involved in Atlanta’s early midfield control. Sanchez helped initiate the buildup on Miranchuk’s first goal and showed confidence playing forward passes. As the game wore on he faded somewhat and his physical play resulted in another yellow card, continuing a trend that will need to be managed.

• Matías Galarza - An energetic MLS debut. The midfielder covered significant ground and showed the kind of aggression Atlanta’s midfield lacked late last season.

• Tomás Jacob - An active presence on the right side early in the match, frequently pushing forward to support the attack. Jacob also drifted centrally at times to help stabilize midfield. His versatility was evident. However and surprisingly, he has looked comfortable operating as a defensive midfielder than as a right back.

• Juan Berrocal - A difficult night for the center back pairing. Berrocal was often forced into recovery runs as Salt Lake attacked quickly in transition. While he avoided any major individual error, the defensive line struggled to maintain shape and allowed runners in behind too easily.

• Enea Mihaj - Not as commanding as he appeared at times last season. Mihaj was active in distribution but the back line never looked fully settled, particularly when Salt Lake attacked in transition. Atlanta’s center backs were often reacting rather than controlling the play.

• Lucas Hoyos - A difficult night for the goalkeeper. While not solely responsible for the goals conceded, two of Salt Lake’s finishes beat Hoyos high in the net where his reach appeared limited. Teams are beginning to test that area consistently, aiming shots beyond his reach.

Takeaways

Atlanta United did not look lifeless.

For the first twenty minutes, the Five Stripes controlled the match and moved the ball with confidence. The attacking structure looked more cohesive than it had in the opening two games, and the designated players combined in ways that suggested this group may yet find its rhythm.

But the same defensive fragility remains. Real Salt Lake came to Atlanta shorthanded, sat deep, and looked content to counter. Atlanta still allowed the match to be decided in transition. All three Salt Lake goals came from moments where Atlanta lost its shape, lost its composure, or failed to recover quickly enough. That is the part that should concern Atlanta most.

There were signs of progress. Miranchuk looked sharp. Latte Lath’s positioning was improved. Muyumba delivered one of his better performances in months. Báez was Atlanta’s best defender.

And yet, Atlanta is now 0-3-0. Atlanta’s attacking structure is beginning to take shape. The individual mistakes are still deciding matches.

But the grass looked beautiful.