Before a roaring crowd of 40,835 fans at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta United’s three-match winning streak ended Saturday night as the Five Stripes fell 2-0 to Charlotte FC.
Atlanta entered the rivalry matchup with momentum after earning three consecutive victories over Red Bull New York, Minnesota United and Sporting Kansas City. But Charlotte struck once in each half and kept the Five Stripes off the scoreboard despite several opportunities.
Charlotte opened the scoring in the 22nd minute through Idan Toklomati.
Allan Saint-Maximin sparked the attack before the ball found Pep Biel near the back post. Biel redirected it into the path of Toklomati, who finished with his left foot from close range to give Charlotte a 1-0 lead.
Atlanta responded by creating more pressure as the first half continued.
Miguel Almirón repeatedly delivered dangerous service from set pieces, while Cooper Sanchez and Alexey Miranchuk each saw attempts blocked around the top of the box.
Tristan Muyumba came close to finding the equalizer in the 37th minute. His first attempt was blocked before another shot from outside the box sailed over the crossbar.
Charlotte goalkeeper Kristijan Kahlina also came up with an important save just before halftime, stopping a Fafà Picault header from the center of the box.
At the other end, Atlanta goalkeeper Lucas Hoyos helped keep the Five Stripes within one by denying Liel Abada during first-half stoppage time.
Atlanta went into the locker room trailing 1-0, but Charlotte doubled its advantage almost immediately after the restart.
In the 48th minute, Saint-Maximin again helped create the opportunity before Liel Abada found space inside the box and finished with his left foot into the far side of the goal to make it 2-0.
The Five Stripes continued to push.
Muyumba tested Kahlina again in the 51st minute, but the Charlotte goalkeeper made the save.
Atlanta then turned to its bench in search of a spark, bringing on Adrian Gill, Ronald Hernández, Sergio Santos and Steven Alzate in the 64th minute.
Later, Enzo Dovlo replaced Almirón as Atlanta continued looking for a way back into the match.
The pressure increased as the second half moved into its final stretch.
Alzate had an attempt blocked in the 78th minute, followed moments later by another blocked effort from Miranchuk. Dovlo fired wide from outside the box in the 79th minute, and Gill tested Kahlina with a long-range shot in the 82nd minute.
But Atlanta still could not find the breakthrough.
Charlotte also continued to threaten on the counter, forcing the Five Stripes to remain disciplined defensively while chasing the match.
The visitors created several dangerous second-half opportunities, but Atlanta’s defense prevented the scoreline from growing.
Still, the Five Stripes could not find the goal needed to shift the momentum.
The defeat snapped Atlanta’s recent run of strong form after the club had put together three straight wins.
That stretch offered signs that Atlanta was beginning to turn a corner following a difficult season, making Saturday’s result a frustrating setback.
Charlotte, however, proved more clinical in the key moments.
Toklomati and Abada converted their opportunities, while Kahlina and the Charlotte back line repeatedly denied Atlanta when the Five Stripes pushed forward.
Atlanta showed flashes offensively and created chances to make the match competitive, but finishing proved to be the difference.
Saturday night served as another reminder of how thin the margins can be in MLS.
Atlanta had chances. Charlotte had the goals. And ultimately, that was all that mattered.
The Five Stripes will now look to regroup and start another run as the season enters its next stretch.
Next up, Atlanta United hits the road to face Inter Miami CF on Saturday, Sept. 5, before returning home to Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Wednesday, Sept. 9, to face Orlando City SC at 7:30 p.m. ET.
