That’s all folks.
We all hoped Atlanta United, on the back of sheer talent, could propel itself through a gauntlet of Eastern Conference opponents for a magical run. As talented as they might be, soft goals conceded and an apparent lack of an intangible championship quality (leadership? veteran saavy?) doomed the Five Stripes season.
What comes next is certain to be emotional. We will have to sadly say goodbye to some players we adore and warmly welcome some new faces. It will be a busy offseason, to be sure. But if this team wants to have success when it matters most next year, they’ll need not just an injection of talent, but to cultivate the group into a cohesive squad that has depth, smarts, and tenacity.