FROM MERCEDES-BENZ STADIUM – Atlanta United’s Leagues Cup marketing campaign got here to a screeching halt after a 0-0 (5-3 on penalties) defeat to Liga MX facet Santos Laguna Sunday night time.

It was a win-or-go-home state of affairs for each Atlanta and Santos as DC United already claimed first place in East Group 7 with six factors. Atlanta entered the match with one level in second place whereas Santos have been in third with zero factors, that means the winner of the match would advance to the Leagues Cup Spherical of 32 alongside DC.

Neither facet have been capable of finding the breakthrough within the first half regardless that each groups created a couple of first rate half-chances. Atlanta’s Xande Silva got here near opening the scoring from distance, however Santos’ Carlos Acevedo pulled off a fingertip save to disclaim the winger. Fellow winger Saba Lobjanidze additionally examined Acevedo at his close to put up with a curling free kick from a good angle, however the 28-year-old stood tall to maintain the match knotted at 0-0.

Tempers began to flare within the second half after a rash problem from Santos’ Jordan Carrillo on Atlanta’s Stian Gregersen. Carrillo was proven a yellow card in addition to Tristan Muyumba after the 2 collided after the preliminary problem, after which referee Ivan Barton moved shortly to ship each Xande Silva and Anthony Lozano off after a number of gamers from each groups got here collectively in a scuffle.

After Barton went via a VAR examine, he decided that neither Silva or Lozano have been to be despatched off and as an alternative confirmed the gamers yellow playing cards as each groups remained with 11 gamers on the pitch.

It appeared as if neither facet needed to attain in regulation after the shortage of probabilities created within the first half when in comparison with the second half. Santos would go on to advance to the Spherical of 32 via penalty kicks 5-3 after the match ended 0-0 in regulation, with Acevedo arising big with a vital save throughout the shootout.

GK: Josh Cohen – 7/10 – Wasn’t actually examined within the first half however made a few first rate stops within the second 45.

RB: Brooks Lennon – 6/10 – The USA worldwide wasn’t as concerned within the assault as we have turn into accustomed to seeing. He picked up an early yellow card which noticed Santos try and spring ahead down his facet of the pitch.

CB: Stian Gregersen – 7/10 – Defended exceptionally nicely within the air and when Santos had gamers operating in behind.

CB: Luis Abram – 6/10 – Abram gave the opposing forwards an excessive amount of area and simply does not have the velocity like Gregersen has to have the ability to do this.

LB: Pedro Amador – 6/10 – In his first begin as an Atlanta participant, Amador discovered himself in good positions within the closing third however his supply might’ve been higher.

CM: Tristan Muyumba – 6/10 – Swept up free passes in the course of the park alongside Fortune.

CM: Jay Fortune – 7/10 – The younger midfielder was stable as he hardly misplaced a cross throughout the first 45, spraying balls out large and thru the middle with ease.

CM: Bartosz Slisz – 6/10 – Displayed good composure on the ball and infrequently discovered himself on the sting of the Santos penalty space, however his closing cross let him down.

RW: Saba Lobjanidze – 6/10 – Got here near opening the scoring with a well-taken free kick. Lobjanidze additionally picked up passes in harmful areas via the center of the pitch however his contact let him down a couple of instances.

ST: Daniel Rios – 6/10 – Rios was virtually a bystander within the first half regardless that Atlanta have been attempting to set him up for a straightforward tap-in with a number of crosses into the Santos penalty space.

LW: Xande Silva – 6/10 – Like Lobjanidze, he too got here near discovering the breakthrough within the first half and likewise went on a couple of spectacular runs via the middle of the pitch however was dispossessed on a few events.

Substitutes

SUB: Jamal Thiare (46′ for Rios) – 6/10 – Was unable to get into any form of rhythm up entrance.

SUB: Matt Edwards (71′ for Amador) – 6/10 – Held his personal within the backline and helped play some fast passes out large to the wingers.

SUB: Edwin Mosquera (71′ for Muyumba) – 5/10 – Mosquera was merely attempting to do an excessive amount of after approaching.

SUB: Dax McCarthy (79′ for Fortune) – 6/10 – Did nicely to place away his penalty try.

SUB: Nick Firmino (89′ for Silva) – 6/10 – Put away his penalty try with ease.

Supervisor

Rob Valentino – 7/10 – The interim boss set did nearly all he might to set Atlanta up for achievement given the present standing of their squad. The crew created a couple of real half-chances from cut-back passes however simply could not learn how to interrupt down the Santos protection via the center.