I. 11’ – Le Toux cannot miss that chance; at least, not the way he did. He was basically one-one-one with their keeper, but his shot was too soon, too weak, and too wide. He looked like a 17-year-old rookie; that cannot happen.

II. 17’ – Atlanta’s goal was born in bad-executed backward pass, from Harkes to Birnbaum. There was some pressure, but Harkes showed his age there. He should never have passed the ball in the first place. He should have simply protected it and turned to the center of the field. He would have plenty of space to advance with the ball. However, he did pass the ball, and he rushed it, and he put to much force on it. He missed his intended target by a couple of yards. Along with huge mistake, there were other two minors:
II.a) Unluckly, the ball went between Birnbaum and Opare, and both expected the other one to go for the ball. This miscommunication helped the turnover, allowing Asad to run straight to the ball and get it unopposed. Both should have gone towards the ball there.
II.b) Our keeper is Bill Hamid. Kemp should know that. When Almiron beat Birnbaum and received the pass behind Opare, Kemp should have let him go. Almiron should have been Hamid’s problem (if Almiron hesitates, Opare would even have a chance to join Hamid), while Kemp remained defending against Gressel, making Almiron’s decision to cross harder. Chances are Atlanta would still score, but it wouldn't be as easy as it was for them to do it.

III. 23’ – UNITED SCORES! Our goal happens because we pressed Atlanta’s defense. Ortiz was great in running over the keeper, who makes a bad decision. Le Toux was no pressing as well as Ortiz and Acosta, so the keeper should have passed the ball to his left. With Ortiz in front of him, blocking a straight shot, he passed to his right. However, Acosta’s position there was PERFECT. He was marking TWO opponents, and he could intercept a pass going to either one of them. Still, he was far enough of both to give their keeper the impression that he could pass them the ball. Acosta intercepted the ball and was ready to score with ease.

IV. 25’ – What Marcelo was doing there, inside the box, away from his mark, staring at the ball?! He could have cost us the win right there. Luckly for us, their open shot was wide.

V. 41’ – Great save by Hamid. They got the rebound, and we were too far to challenge the shot. It happens when you are more concerned with the cross than the second ball. It was a calculated risk. It is OK.

VI. 45’ – A long ball by Nyarko who looked rehersed in practice. Every single United player knew what was going on and what they should do. The pass was deflected, but there were four men in black waiting for it. Ortiz didn’t need to look to pass to Le Toux. Unfortunately, shot was saved. Great football, though!


Second Half

I. 49' – Free kick for United in the beginning of our attacking half, near the left sideline. Once again, the players shown that they practiced the play, and excuted it well. Atlanta's defense is bad positioned, and all 5 United players near the box gained advantage right after Acosta put the the ball in play – inside the box, deep in the right flank. Birnbaum wins the challenge in the air, heading the ball to Ortiz, who is alone between the penalty spot and the goal area. Ortiz heads the ball towards the goal, but the keeper deflects the shot. Nyarko is ready for the rebound, but the ball does not move far enough for him to have a shot. He gets to the ball at the same time as the keeper. No score, but great play!

II. 51' – Long ball from the defense, looking for Le Toux and Ortiz. United has only 4 players in the offensive half, against five opponents. Atlanta marks man to man, with one spy at center-back. The ball passes by Le Toux and his marker, but Ortiz manages to take it in the right side. Atlanta switches marks between Ortiz and Le Toux. Ortiz advances toward the endline just enough to get an open cross. There are only three players inside the box: two backs and the keeper. However, in the left side, near the box line, Nyarko is already ready for it. Ortiz crosses the ball to the far post, high, a bit outside of the goal area. The keeper does not challenge the ball. Nyarko arrives faster than the back at the ball, bets him in the air, and heads the ball on the woodwork. The keeper only looks. It should have gone in.

III. 60' – UNITED SCORES AGAIN! Great play on the right side between Marcelo, Le Toux (who had switched position with Harkes), and Korb. Korb receives the ball with a road wide open to the endline. After the first touch, he sees that Ortiz's charge to the box had pull all three defenders back. There is no opponent near neither Harkes or Nyarko, both being in front of the box. Korb decides to cross the ball to them right away. Harkes gets to the ball first, but decides to defer, simply giving an extra boost to Korb's pass. The ball reaches Nyarko, who blocks it with his chest. The defender hesitates, and Nyarko volleys the ball into the net. "It is in the net! It is in the net!" Another well-executed play, but now it is a goal.

IV. 76' – Lazy defensive effort by DC. Atlanta passes the ball at will: from center to right, back to center, to inside the box. There is no pressure whatsoever from the defense. The cross is too strong, and their forward (although, it was not unopposed) is not able to touch the ball at the far post.

V. 90'+ – Free kick for Atlanta. The ball is deflected by the wall. Hamid FLIES to the opposite side and saves the shot, because Hamid.