Atlanta United Falls 2-0 to Charlotte FC in Rivalry Clash at Bank of America Stadium
Atlanta's defensive woes continues through matchday 2
Atlanta United’s hopes of starting the 2025 MLS season with back-to-back wins were dashed on Saturday afternoon as they fell 2-0 to rivals Charlotte FC in a heated battle at Bank of America Stadium. A crowd of over 50,000 witnessed Charlotte’s home opener, where Premier League veteran Wilfried Zaha made his MLS debut, scoring one goal and assisting in the build up of another to secure three points for the hosts.
The match kicked off at 2:25 p.m. ET, with both teams eager to assert dominance in this burgeoning Southeastern derby. Atlanta, coming off a 3-2 victory against CF Montréal in their season opener, looked to continue their momentum on the road. Charlotte, meanwhile, entered the game with a point from their 2-2 draw at Seattle Sounders last week, hungry to give their fans a memorable home debut.
First Half: A Tactical Stalemate
The opening 45 minutes showcased two teams feeling each other out, with neither side willing to concede an inch. Atlanta’s defense, anchored by Derrick Williams, who was fully fit after missing the Atlanta’s opening day at the Benz, and Matthew Edwards stood firm against Charlotte’s probing attacks. Edwards was particularly good in the first half locking down Zaha down the left hand side. Goalkeeper Brad Guzan was only called to action twice in the first half, a testament to the defense’s resolve.
Much of the first half was dominated by Atlanta United’s attack, and boy did it look good. I thought we were going to be treated to another three goal masterclass after watching the free flowing front three of Latte Lath, Almiron, and Saba, but sadly Atlanta’s attacking trio couldn’t find the back of the net despite several key chances.
Second Half: Zaha Steals the Show
The game turned on its head shortly after the restart, as Charlotte’s marquee signing Wilfried Zaha announced his arrival in MLS with a devastating nine-minute spell. In the 49th minute, Zaha pounced on a loose ball in midfield, drove forward with purpose, and slipped a perfectly weighted pass to Pep Biel. The attacking midfielder made no mistake, slotting a left-footed strike past Guzan to ignite the Charlotte F.C. faithful.
A few minutes later, Zaha would receive a rebound that fell nearly perfectly to him after a Brad Guzan save and he would slot home Charlotte’s second goal of the night and his first goal in the MLS. By this time, you could really tell that Atlanta’s legs were getting heavy and their creative spark was fading. In the 72nd minute, the Atlanta United head coach, Ronny Deila, made a mass substitution that saw Latte Lath, Miranchuk, Saba, and Edwards head for the bench. While the injection of fresh legs brought some much needed energy to the Atlanta United side, it would ultimately not produce anything and Charlotte would comfortably see the game finish 2-0.
Matchday Post-Mortem
Today’s Atlanta United - Charlotte F.C clash, delivered a fiery chapter in this budding MLS rivalry, with both sides showcasing their determination to set the tone early in the season. Played at Bank of America Stadium, this Southeastern showdown carried the weight of regional pride and valuable early-season points, but Atlanta’s defensive struggles without Amador and Lennon added a layer of difficulty for them. For the Five Stripes, the match was a chance to build momentum after their season opener, while Charlotte FC aimed to harness their home opener energy and make a statement in front of their passionate fans with their star player, Zaha, making his debut. Regardless of the final score, the intensity of this matchup reaffirmed the growing stakes of this I-85 rivalry, setting the stage for more thrilling battles as the 2025 MLS season unfolds.
Key Takeaways
Defensive Depth Tested Early: Missing key defensive players Amador and Lennon, Atlanta United’s defense has struggled to find cohesion in the first two games, highlighting the need for quicker integration of depth players or tactical adjustments. Edwards looked great in the first half, but fans of the Five Stripes soon realized why getting Lennon back is crucial for their defense.
Maybe Atlanta isn’t where we thought: After matchday 1, it would seem that Atlanta was poised to deploy a lethal attack capable of netting two or three goals a game. The game went so well that Sports Illustrated even ranked Atlanta United number 1 in their post-matchday 1 power rankings. However, the reality check came sooner than we might have wanted it to. Our defense is atrocious when defending in transition, and the attack fizzled out after 45 minutes.