Saturday, Huntsville City FC traveled to Kennesaw, Georgia looking to get back on the right track after the loss to Chattanooga.
However, it was once again a long ride home as Huntsville was bested 2-0 by their hosts Atlanta United 2.
An early goal from Cooper Sanchez set the tone, and Toto Majeb doubled Atlanta’s advantage just before the half. Again, despite dominating the ball and leading in most stat categories, they just couldn’t put any in the back of the net.
The loss makes two in a row, and drops Huntsville to third in the East, now just two points ahead of Chattanooga in 6th.
Lineup
Brian Schwake started in goal for Huntsville, with a back four of Chris Applewhite, Blake Bowen, Jordan Knight, and Zach Barrett ahead of him.
The midfield duo of Philip Mayaka and Pep Casas seems pretty locked in stone lately, and continued their duties in this one supporting a changed-up front four of Gunnar Studenhofft, Adem Sipic, Alan Carleton and Ethan O’Brien.
Off the bench, calls were made to Moises Véliz, Bryce Boneau, Kevin Carmichael, Tyshawn Rose and Gio Miglietti.
The Numbers
Huntsville City FC
Shots: 17
Shots on goal: 6
Possession: 65%
Corners: 7
Yellow Cards: 2 (Pep Casas, Moises Véliz)
Atlanta United 2
Shots: 14
Shots on goal: 3
Possession: 35%
Corners: 5
Yellow Cards: 2 (Santiago Pita, Adyn Torres)
Analysis
At this point, 23 games into the season, with just five to go, we can safely say Huntsville is who they are. Who are they? A very very streak-prone team.
Also a team very reliant on good form from key players. If certain players aren’t on their A-game, this team frequently has issues scoring, and often stacks losses and draws together.
This is still a very good team that could beat just about anyone, but when they’re having an off night they can lose to a lot of teams too. This Atlanta team is below the playoff line. Huntsville had beaten them on the road earlier this season (though in Athens and not Kennesaw, for what little that’s worth)
The good news? If this team finds form at the right time, they can go on a magical run in the playoffs. The bad news? They seem equally as likely to sputter out in the first round of the playoffs, which for the record they’re inching closer to officially clinching participation in for the first time.
If Huntsville wins their game in hand over 9th place NYCFC II, they would clinch. If NYCFC II loses their next game, and Atlanta United 2 don’t win inside of 90 minutes, then a Huntsville win in their next game would clinch also.
That next game is on Monday September 8th, again on the road, this time at New England. This is of course a rescheduled game from earlier in the season when bad weather made travel for Huntsville impossible.