Match recap: 5-Stripes fall to counterattacks of Charlotte FC

A familiar vice was the culprit for Atlanta United's 2-0 loss to Charlotte FC Saturday night: transition moments. 

The 5-Stripes had plenty of the possession. Almost 57% of it to be exact. But The Crown didn't mind, often opting for counterattacks and leaning on the pace of their attackers. 

What happened

For the first five minutes of the match, Charlotte was on the front foot. Atlanta felt the energy of the moment and game out of the gates jittery. Allan Saint-Maximin was bright and quick-footed on the left side of The Crown's attack. 

Lucas Hoyos made a crucial double save after an unlucky tackle deflected the ball through on goal. He denied Idan Toklomati's first effort and shut down a rebound shot as well. 

In the 21st minute, Charlotte would counter and score the opener. Toklomati tapped in a finish off a squared ball from Pep Biel off a cross from Saint-Maximin in a rapid movement. It was another transition moment that bit Atlanta United. 

Hoyos had to make another one-on-one stop on a flourishing Toklomati, stuffing the ball after the forward tried to round the Argentine in goal in the 32nd minute. 

Tristan Muyumba had a pair of shots in the 37th minute test the visitors. The first was a volley that was deflected out for a corner, and the second a longshot that just soared over the bar. 

The 5-Stripes broke away in the 47th minute, and Alexey Miranchuk earned a free kick in a dangerous area, but Miguel Almirón's free kick hit the wall.

At the halftime break, the visitors held their lead. The gameplan from Charlotte was clear: embrace Atlanta United's possession and pressure and counterattack frequently. The 5-Stripes had more than 70% of the ball after The Crown's goal, but they needed more threatening movements to find their way back in the rivalry match. 

Atlanta did possess to begin the second half, but Charlotte doubled their advantage with another smooth counter. Liel Abada cut on his left foot and hit side netting in the 48th minute. 

Head coach Tata Martino went to Steven Alzate, Adrian Gill, Sergio Santos and Ronald Hernández as substitutes in the 64th minute — a plethora of fresh legs to boost his side down the stretch. 

Charlotte applied more pressure as the match went on, switching from sitting back to being the aggressor. Toklomati had a really good look at a headed attempt from a corner kick in the 67th minute that went wide. 

Miranchuk took a crack from distance in the 78th minute and forced a corner kick, and the 5-Stripes did get a few more shots off for the remainder of the match. The problem lied in how far away they were taking them from, as Charlotte's defense wouldn't let closer strikes through. 

Milestones

• Cooper Sanchez made his 20th start, becoming the second youngest Atlanta United player to hit that number at the age of 18 years, 156 days.
• Enzo Dovlo made his debut for Atlanta United's First Team when he came on in the 70th minute.

Up next

Atlanta United hits the road for another familiar Eastern Conference foe in Inter Miami CF. The match will kick off at 7:30 p.m. as the 5-Stripes face Lionel Messi and the second-place Herons.