For the third straight match, Atlanta United looked like a competent and capable soccer team. That fact in itself — considering how inconsistent and frustrating the 2022 season has been — is a massive win for the Five Stripes. Unfortunately, a comprehensive performance was only enough to muster a scoreless draw against the Supporters’ Shield-leading Philadelphia Union. Regardless of the result, there are clear signs that the team is finally adapting to Gonzalo Pineda’s style of play and that can only mean good things for the future. Here are a couple of thoughts on why the optimism should be flowing around Atlanta right now:
- I will go ahead a preface this column by admitting that it’s going to sound a lot like my previous one, where I applauded the progress that the team has made in recent matches.