United has a good bit to work on this week

Atlanta United has a few things to address following Saturday’s 2-1 loss to Columbus before it plays the Seattle Sounders, the reigning MLS Cup holders, in the next round of the Carolina Challenge Cup.

The team didn’t play poorly in losing to the Crew in Charleston, S.C. But it wasn’t efficient on offense and manager Gerardo Martino said it has a few things to clean up with its press.

“The first 15 minutes, we pressed well,” Martino said. “We had good pressure on the ball. We had chances to score in the first 15 minutes and then the game changed.

“When we couldn’t press as much and win the ball, we had to fall back because of how they were playing.”

The only chance Atlanta United put away came in the sixth minute on a header by Josef Martinez. It was the second consecutive game the short forward was able to score with his head. The goal came after midfielder Chris McCann stepped in front of a Columbus pass, split the defense with a pass to Martinez, who found Hector Villalba down the right wing. He then crossed it back into the box to Martinez.

“I thought we did create a couple of turnovers in their half of the field and we got to goal quickly,” captain Michael Parkhurst said.

Left fullback Greg Garza got up and down the wing in the first half and put several crosses into the penalty box. But Kenwyne Jones, more of a target forward than Martinez, was unable to score. Atlanta United had just six shots on goal, four on target, to Columbus’ 16 and eight.

The team wasn’t as efficient with its other chances.

After the goal, Columbus dominated possession for most of the rest of the first half with Federico Higuain and Justin Meram dictating the game’s tempo.

“I think we started a little slow. We were hesitant at first and I think you could see the rust a little bit,” Columbus coach Gregg Berhalter said. “But as we got into gear, I was especially pleased with our ball movement and it was a physical performance. We looked strong up until the last minute.”

Atlanta United made halftime adjustments to try to nullify the midfield duo.

But Columbus broke through with goals by Higuain in the 57th and 62nd minutes. Atlanta United’s offense was mostly stagnant in the second half. Jones had one more chance in a one-onone situation but his shot was smothered by the onrushing Columbus goalkeeper.

Martino brought in rookies Andrew Carleton and Julian Gressel in the second half after playing the starters into the second half, something he didn’t do in last week’s 4-0 win against Chattanooga. Both players sparked the team last week by contributing two goals, but were unable to do so against the Crew. The second half was arguably the flattest of the four the team has played in its two preseason games.

“The main thing we are learning is the quality of the opponent that we will play,” Martino said. “We will take that into account when we do our formations.”

The next opponent should be very tough, no matter that Seattle tied Charleston 1-1 in Saturday’s second game.

The Sounders feature Clint Dempsey, Jordan Morris and Nicolas Lodeiro, among others.