Atlanta United Outpaced by Necaxa, Set Pieces Prove Costly Again
PEACHTREE CORNERS, GA — Atlanta United’s struggles in Leagues Cup play continued Wednesday night as they fell 3-1 to Mexico’s Necaxa, marking yet another frustrating chapter in their winless Leagues Cup history. Despite controlling much of the possession and showcasing creative movement through the wings, the 5-Stripes were undone by defensive lapses and two second-half goals—both from corner kicks.
This loss comes at a critical moment in the tournament, with just two more opportunities to turn things around against Pumas (Saturday) and Atlas (Wednesday, August 6 | 7:30 p.m. – View tickets).
How It Unfolded: Early Energy, Questionable VAR, and Missed Chances
Atlanta United started strong. The midfield, anchored by Alexey Miranchuk, moved the ball fluidly, while Pedro Amador and Luke Brennan threatened on the left. On the right flank, Miguel Almirón and Ronald Hernández worked in tandem to feed striker Jamal Thiaré. But Necaxa’s disciplined backline kept Atlanta’s final-third efforts under control.
Controversy erupted just 12 minutes in. Necaxa’s opener came after a confusing sequence that saw the ball ping-pong in the box and eventually deflect into the net via Brad Guzan’s outstretched save attempt. VAR stepped in to review a possible handball, freezing play for five tense minutes. Despite the chaos, the goal was upheld.
Atlanta responded with flair. In the 28th minute, a slick sequence involving Thiaré and Miranchuk led to Brennan slipping a pass to Tristan Muyumba, whose low cross caused a rebound that Miranchuk coolly buried. It was his second goal in as many matches and his eighth of the season—proving once again his importance to Atlanta’s attack.
ICYMI: Catch the highlights and key moments on our matchday recap.
Set Pieces Sink the 5-Stripes in the Second Half
The second half began with little urgency from either side. That changed around the 66th minute, when Almirón’s free kick struck the defensive wall, potentially off a hand. After a second VAR review, Atlanta was awarded a foul—but couldn’t capitalize.
Substitutions soon followed, including Will Reilly, Emmanuel Latte Lath, and Brooks Lennon, giving Atlanta fresh legs and tactical flexibility. Almirón nearly gave Atlanta the lead moments later with a rocket shot that smashed the crossbar.
But Necaxa struck back—with deadly precision.
In the 77th minute, Tomás Badaloni rose above Atlanta’s defense to head home a corner from Agustín Palavecino. Guzan was left rooted as the unmarked forward nodded in with ease. Then, in stoppage time, Badaloni struck again. Another failed corner clearance led to Cristian Calderón’s shot ricocheting to Badaloni for the final dagger—3-1, game over.
Atlanta’s defensive marking on set pieces—particularly corners—has been a growing concern, and this match exposed it brutally.
What This Means for Atlanta United
With the Leagues Cup knockout stages looming, Atlanta United now finds itself in a do-or-die situation. The club remains winless in Leagues Cup competition and needs strong showings against Pumas and Atlas to keep hopes alive.
Fans still have a chance to witness the action live. The team returns to Mercedes-Benz Stadium on August 6 to face Atlas. Click here for ticket details.
For more Leagues Cup insights, check out our coverage of Atlanta’s recent win vs. Seattle and what it means heading into this crucial stretch.
Final Thoughts & Call to Action
Atlanta United’s performance showed flashes of quality but also exposed familiar weaknesses. If the team hopes to make a deep run in Leagues Cup play—or restore confidence in fans—they’ll need to shore up their defense, especially on set pieces.
What do you think Atlanta United needs to fix most—defensive structure, finishing, or something else?
Let us know in the comments or tag us on social @AtlantaSoccerNews with your thoughts.
Featured Image Alt Text:
Atlanta United’s Alexey Miranchuk celebrates after scoring a first-half goal vs. Necaxa in Leagues Cup action.
Social Share Summary:
Another Leagues Cup letdown for Atlanta United. Find out what went wrong vs. Necaxa and what it means for the 5-Stripes moving forward.
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