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Harrison, NJ - Two teams with nothing to play for square off to avoid injury and perform their contractual obligations of completing 34 MLS games. The result is the same as it has always been when Atlanta plays away vs. the Red Bulls. They do not win. In 10 attempts, Atlanta has an away record of 0-3-7 at Sports Illustrated Stadium.
Atlanta United finished the 2026 season with 9 wins, only one of which was against a team that made the playoffs. They finished the season with 33 points, 5 more than last year, making this their second worst season (excluding the 2020 COVID season).
Tata Martino says that this team will not make many offseason moves. He says that this team will play better when they have had more time to play with each other. That’s clearly absurd. In the future, I want to spend an entire article dissecting these statements and how they must be part of a transfer strategy that will allow for the club to make the most of its dire situation.
Atlanta United Supporter
I naively came to this game as I do every match, thinking my team will get a result. Everyone knew it wouldn’t matter. We didn’t expect there would be much we could learn by watching. But I hope, as I do every match, that my team will try their hardest and play a game of soccer that is enjoyable to watch, win, lose, or draw. Atlanta didn’t. They were halfway to their vacation spot thinking about whether their bags were fully packed. There was no concern for any away fan who attended. There was no worry about any local fans. Most of these players won’t be back in Atlanta for a few months anyway.
I know some people reading this might be thinking, “Power Football, if you had no expectations, why would you get worked up because they did not win a game you acknowledged did not matter?”
Speaking from a fan perspective, as this site is intended for, I’m as disillusioned with the state of Atlanta United as nearly every other supporter is. I’m not a writer who gets free tickets, free food, or free parking from the club. I paid my membership dues like many of you did back in August. There are fewer and fewer us showing up every match, despite the front office reporting near sell-outs every week. There is no amount of concession credits that will replace the community lost by this club making its fans suffer through another year of mediocrity. Arthur Morris Blank Sports and Entertainment (AMBSE) has been failing its fans for years. They must show an ability to resolve this, and doing so will require massive changes this off-season.
Starting Lineups
Atlanta used its best 11 except for Jayden Hibbert getting a rare start. Fans have been asking for this all year.
The biggest news from the Red Bulls is longtime defender Tim Parker announced his retirement before the match. It was nice to see him get a proper sendoff with fans cheering him on when he entered the match at 90’. Send-offs are all too rare in MLS.
Notable Moments
1’ - Mere seconds into the match, Embolo has the ball taken off him, and Hall pokes the ball just outside the goal. Hibbert is credited with a finger tip save.
8’ - Diaz with a great throughball to Almiron. Two versus one breakaway, where Miggy shoots and hits the woodwork. Embolo was running with Miggy, but Miggy took the shot instead of playing the easy pass which would have changed the dynamic of the game completely if Atlanta scores here.
12’ Galoppo takes a shot from outside the box that goes wide. Atlanta players outnumbered 2:1 in the attack. One team came to play, and Atlanta did not.
27’ - Atlanta attempts to play out of the back, slowly. Muyumba is dispossessed of the ball. Hibbert makes his third big save of the game.
31’ - NYRB goal Mehmeti is played onside by Jacob. Great throughball from Donkor who has two midfielders watching instead of closing him down. Hibbert does all he can do, but you can see Atlanta is thoroughly checked out already.
53’ - Atlanta gives up on the attack. Miggy puts his head down. Red Bulls go the entire distance of the field pinging the ball around a lifeless Atlanta. Kone sees Cowell call for and make a great run behind the Atlanta defense. Hibbert, on an island, should jump on the ball but watches as Cowell puts RBNY up 2-0. Embarrassing all around.
81’ - Marshall-Rutty hits a highlight reel goal from a set piece.
That’s a wrap for 2026. I hope you’ve enjoyed this first season of written coverage by the Atlanta United Fan TV Writers Room. We’re working on a number of pieces for this off-season, including:
Analysis of any major news from the club.
The annual Transfer Tracker for the offseason transfer window.
Broader analysis of what’s gone wrong and how we want it to change in the future.
Preview content for the 2027 Sprint Season.
Some surprises are in the works as well! :)
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