Union lose 3-1 to Atlanta United and make team history in the process
Agustín Anello scored his first Union goal, but it wasn't enough in Atlanta as the team fell to 0-4-0 in league play.
For the first time in club history, the Union have started their Major League Soccer season with four consecutive losses.
Behind a trio of goals from Emmanuel Latte Lath, Tomás Jacob, and Alexey Miranchuk, Atlanta United beat the visiting Union, 3-1, on Saturday afternoon at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Latte Lath opened the scoring in the 28th minute, and Atlanta added another just after halftime with Jacob’s strike in the 47th. Miranchuk scored a third for Atlanta (1-3-0, 3 points) in the 68th minute.
Miguel Almirón put Latte Lath, the Atlanta striker, through on goal with a crafty pass. Once Latte Lath was past in, he beat Andre Blake with a shot that nestled inside the right post.
It was the first goal of the season for Latte Lath, who arrived in Atlanta from English Championship side Middlesbrough for a then-MLS record transfer fee of $22 million in February 2025.
Agustín Anello scored his first goal for the Union (0-4-0, 0 points) in the 87th minute, beating Atlanta’s Lucas Hoyos from the center of the 18-yard box. It was too late to alter the game’s result, but it was the first goal the Union have scored from open play across their first four MLS games.
“We’ve got to sharpen up who we are, currently,” Union manager Bradley Carnell said after the match. “What are we trying to do, and what are we trying to accomplish? This is a first for us, I believe, and this is not something that we are all particularly proud of. And I stand at the front and put my hand up, and make sure we’re going to fight to get back on the track here.”
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Atlanta gave the Union a chance to bring themselves level in the 40th minute as Elías Báez made contact with Bruno Damiani’s head while Damiani tried to chase down a cross from Jovan Lukić inside the penalty area.
Báez was shown a yellow card for the contact, and the Union were awarded a penalty. Referee Marcos de Oliveira also issued a yellow card to Atlanta manager Tata Martino for dissent before the penalty was taken.
Milan Iloski stepped up to take the penalty kick in the 43rd minute. His right-footed shot ricocheted off the left post and past the right sideline for an Atlanta throw-in.
Atlanta’s bench was issued a yellow card shortly after the penalty for continued dissent.
Stian Gregersen earned Atlanta’s fourth yellow card caution of the first half for fouling Damiani in the second minute of added time.
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After eight extra minutes, the teams entered the locker rooms with Atlanta up, 1-0.
Almirón earned a second assist early in the second half as his cross in from the left found Jacob at the back post. Latte Lath pulled up on his run and allowed the ball to roll past to Jacob, who put Atlanta up, 2-0.
After its second goal, Atlanta began to try and slow the match down to secure its first win of the season. Matías Galarza was shown a yellow card for time wasting in the 49th minute.
Carnell made a trio of changes in the 57th minute, bringing on Ezekiel Alladoh, Anello, and Alejandro Bedoya for Stas Korzeniowski,counterattack, and Iloski.
Atlanta added a third goal on a counterattack. Latte Lath held up the play outside the 18-yard box before making a pass to Almirón, who played a ball forward to Miranchuk.
Miranchuk’s shot bested Blake and put Atlanta up, 3-0.
“There’s a lot of … I don’t want to say anxiety, but there’s a lot of that floating around, especially when things don’t go your way,” Carnell said. “It feels like every bounce is going to the opponent, and how do you work that back in your favor? It’s by doing the basics really well. And we’re letting ourselves down with the basics right now.”
Martino made Atlanta’s first changes in the 69th minute, bringing on Fafà Picault and Steven Alzate for Latte Lath and Galarza.
Carnell made a defensive change in the 77th minute, bringing on Japhet Sery Larsen for Philippe Ndinga. Martino responded with a change for Atlanta, swapping Saba Lobjanidze for Miranchuk in midfield.
Carnell made his final swap in the 81st minute, bringing on Jesús Bueno to replace Danley Jean Jacques in midfield.
Jacob was shown yellow for a dangerous tackle on Frankie Westfield in the 85th minute.
Seven minutes were added on to the second half for the Union to try and score twice to pull themselves level, but they were unable to find the back of the net.
The Union outshot Atlanta, 14-10, but had three shots on target to Atlanta’s five.
Up next
The Union travel to Mexico City for the second leg of their Concacaf Champions Cup round-of-16 series with Club América on Wednesday (9 p.m., FS2).
The Union will then return to Subaru Park on March 21 to face the Chicago Fire (4:30 p.m., Apple TV).