Recap

The anticipated clash between Atlanta United and Philadelphia Union did not disappoint at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia, on July 2nd, 2023 as the home side clinched the victory.

Before a fervent crowd, Atlanta United tackled Philadelphia Union in a compelling encounter, scoring two goals to zero. Met with enthusiasm from the fans present and those tuning in from home, the match kept everyone on their toes.

The game opened with Atlanta United striker Thiago Almada making a statement within just 7 minutes, with a fantastic volley putting Atlanta ahead. Almada's contribution to the game didn't end there as he later made an assist leading to a second goal for his team, scored by Brooks Lennon in the 79th minute. These two stellar performances were a regular topic of discussion, with Almada's linkup play praised and his decision to take a shot instead of passing to Miguel Berry triggering some laughter online.

As the game progressed, there was notable frustration expressed by fans over what was considered subpar refereeing from Ted Unkel. A significant number of social media posts frequently criticized Unkel's decision making during the game, insisting that the refereeing standards left much to be desired.

The game wasn’t without its controversy. Several pivotal moments sparked debates, such as Amar Sejdic's yellow card earned for a kick, and an incident involving Julian Carranza getting tackled without a call, which prompted numerous posts questioning the referee's call.

Even with Atlanta United's victory, both teams were accused of underperformance. One fan amusingly commented that Atlanta resembled a team "standing there and doing nothing while Philadelphia punched themselves."

As specific as the match was, some fans found time to discuss other aspects of the game, from chants that need creative upgrades to commentary which was deemed to be a bit distracting due to straying off-topic.

Despite their defeat, Philadelphia Union fans maintained their sportsmanship, with some acknowledging Atlanta United's better display on the day. Some comments reflected on the Union's defense and the adverse impact of goalkeeper Joe Bendik's performance, suggesting areas for improvement for the upcoming matches.

After successfully securing the win against Philadelphia Union, Atlanta United's next challenge lies- up north, as they will face Montreal on July 8th. Similarly, Philadelphia Union moves westward to take on LA Galaxy on July 9th.

Going forward, fans can anticipate more thrilling encounters as the MLS season continues to unfold, and hopefully, some innovative new chants.