In the first half of Thursday night’s Eastern Conference semi-final between Atlanta United and the Philadelphia Union, it was clear why Atlanta looked like they had 20 players on the pitch. The Five Stripes nearly doubled up possession time in the first half, their players buzzing all around the pitch as they dominated play. And this would lay the foundation for a superb performance and victory.
It was the play of the Atlanta midfield that was instrumental in the first half. Their passing was crisp and sharp, they dictated the play and controlled the game without ever letting the Union near the ball.