With each side in the final stages of disappointing seasons, Atlanta United host Toronto FC on Sunday in a matchup between underachieving teams.
Atlanta (4-12-10, 22 points) has gone since May 28 without a victory, enduring a 10-game stretch without a win. Last time out, Atlanta fell 3-1 against the Colorado Rapids to remain winless away from home. Alexey Miranchuk’s goal in the 20th minute knotted the score, but Atlanta’s offense went stagnant before failing to pick up a point for the fifth time in 10 games.
“The first half was an even game, but in the second half we started to lose duels, the things we talked about before the game, losing our legs,” Atlanta head coach Ronny Deila said. “It’s very, very frustrating. You have good control and then suddenly you feel you are under pressure. It’s a switch that just happens. It’s something I have to look at myself for, because we’re still conceding goals and it’s very frustrating.”
Atlanta has allowed 49 goals this season, second-most in the conference just behind D.C United’s 52. Emmanuel Latte Lath leads Atlanta with seven goals scored, while Miranchuk follows with six.
Toronto (5-13-8, 23 points) has gone four matches without a win, last picking up three points on July 16 with a 1-0 victory over San Diego FC. Last time out, Toronto tied with the Columbus Crew, the club’s second straight 1-1 draw.
Trailing by a goal late, Toronto’s Jules-Anthony Vilsaint found the back of the net for the first time this year in the 77th minute to help the club earn a much-needed point.
“Credit to the group, they dug in and fought and grew into the game,” Toronto head coach Robin Fraser said. “To be honest, I can’t say enough about the effort and the ability to fight and keep themselves in games. We’re starting to see more and more quality in the attacking part of the field. I think the group is growing in confidence and feeding off each other.”
Toronto, which tied with Atlanta 1-1 on July 12, is led by Theo Corbeanu’s five goals. Djordje Mihailovic has tallied two assists in two matches since arriving in a trade from the Colorado Rapids, where he scored nine goals to start the season.
–Field Level Media
