(by: Caleb Leon @1788Sports @LeonCaleb)

Let’s break this down.

To the tune of “I Believe That We Will Win”

Do

Do Not

Do Not Throw

Do Not Throw Things

Do Not Throw Things At

Do Not Throw Things At Referees



DO. NOT. THROW. THINGS. AT. REFEREES.



It is that simple guys. Do not throw things at people. Your momma taught you that when you were 3 and you threw a ball at your brother’s face and almost broke his glasses. (sorry David..)

Anyway, now that we got that out of the way. Let’s take a look back at this interesting game.

Keep in mind, I am still on an emotional high so I will try to keep things age appropriate. (hi mom!)

The First Half…..

The first half was…. Soccer. There was a pitch, and a ball, and players, and a referee. To be perfectly honest, I was eating a delicious pizza during the first half, so other than the two yellow cards I do not have much to say. Tyrone Mears gets a yellow for literally playing soccer and going for the ball in the 38th minute and that pretty much sums up how the night was going to go.

The Second Half

After the break, the game finally started when Abu Danladi silenced Mercedes-Benz Stadium with a strike that left everyone speechless. The clock struck 60 and goalkeeper Kyle Reynish left his feet on a challenge and got himself sent off after video review.

[start rant]

Let’s talk about the review for a second, as the referee is walking to the VAR station, someone decides to throw a water bottle at him. Thus (in my opinion) influences his decision to send of Reynish. If the bottle isn’t thrown, I think it is a yellow card offense as most Refs hate giving Keepers red cards. I won’t start on the “do’s and don’ts” of VAR. That is a discussion for another day. Let’s move on to the referee

the referee had a terrible game. I mean terrible, I had Referees in u12 recreational soccer that were better refs than the guy in yellow tonight. BUT, that does not mean someone should have thrown a bottle of water at a human being. I get it, emotions are high and it’s a crazy game. DO NOT THROW THINGS AT THE REFEREE.

[end rant]

Photo Credit: @MLS

The Five Stripes battled back with a wonderful strike from Tito Villalba that made my entire apartment complex jump as I celebrated. This strike was backed up by future MLS Rookie of the Year winner, Julian Gressel’s strike in the 72nd minute. These were the only goals scored for Atlanta as the Loons took advantage of the man advantage and the young Atlanta goalkeeper twice in order to take all three points and end Atlanta’s home undefeated streak.

While this is a disappointing result, there is still a possibility Atlanta can sneak into second place in the East if the remaining results go their way.

(side note, Gressel celebrated his goal by doing his FIFA celebration with everyone flapping around like chickens)

Photo credit: @mls

Final. Atlanta United 2-3 Minnesota United

Until next time, don’t throw things at people. I love you Atlanta.

Next Game: October 15th Atlanta United @ New York Red Bulls