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Missed scoring chances, lack of energy result in 3-1 loss to D.C. United.

Atlanta United played its best soccer of the season for the first 20 minutes of Sunday’s game against D.C. United at Georgia Tech’s Bobby Dodd Stadium.

Things quickly came apart as the team wasted at least five good scoring chances, converted just one, and eventually lost 3-1 for its second loss at home in three games.

For most of the final 70 minutes, Atlanta United (3-3-2) didn’t look much like the team that fought to earn five points on the fourgame road stretch that preceded the game against D.C. United.

Instead, the Five Stripes, who spoke during the week of the excitement of being back home for the first time in more than a month and playing in front of a sold-out crowd, seemed void of energy as D.C. United punished enough of their mistakes. An own-goal by Michael Parkhurst in the 25th minute, followed by strikes from Luciano Acosta (36th minute) and Sebastian Le Toux (55th minute) were enough to overcome Kenwyne Jones’ opening goal and secure three points.

D.C. United had scored only six goals all season before Sunday. It also was the team’s first road win in almost a year.

“I think we played a great first 20 minutes of the game,” Atlanta United manager Gerardo Martino said. “We created many scoring chances. After that, we made some defensive mistakes that ended up being very costly. In addition to that, we were lacking consistency throughout the game.”

Several times during the game, an Atlanta United player would make a mistake and then stand looking instead of trying to get back into position or pressing D.C. United in an attempt to force a turnover.

“I think a lot of people expected D.C. to come to us and it’s a win for us,” Atlanta United fullback Tyrone Mears said. “The MLS is a difficult league.

“For us, sometimes you need that, a little wake-up call. A lot of things have been going well for us. Today was a setback.”

Here are five observations from the game:

Early opportunities. Atlanta United had two chances in the first two minutes to score. Each time, Hector Villalba’s shot was saved by Bill Hamid. The first came on a tough angle for Villalba as he met the ball right as Hamid was closing in. The second should have been put away because Villalba had an almost open goal from less than 2 yards out. Hamid was able to get a foot on the shot, sending it out for a corner kick.

Villalba had two chances to score or contribute assists in the second half of last weekend’s 3-1 win at Real Salt Lake. Atlanta United failed to score both times.

Atlanta United broke through in the ninth minute on a head goal by Jones off an assist from Yamil Asad. It was Jones’ second goal this season. Asad lowered his shoulder to spin away from a defender and create enough space to loft a pass to Jones, who beat his man at the back post.

Jones then missed chances in the 17th and 18th minutes, the first on a header past the right post and the second when he was tackled from behind on a breakaway.

“The good thing is we are creating chances, and that’s important for us,” Martino said. “What we have to do is when we are ahead in the game, we can’t give the other team an opportunity to come back in the game. We have to make sure we don’t give the other team those chances to score.”

Why those misses were important. The score easily could have been 5-0 Atlanta United after 20 minutes. It became 1-1 when Parkhurst, sliding to block a cross from Lamar Neagle, instead saw the ball bounce off his leg and past Alec Kann at the near post to tie the score in the 25th minute.

D.C. United strikes again. Acosta made the score 2-1 when he blew past Julian Gressel near the sideline, cut across the middle of the field and hit a left-footed shot from 18 yards into the lower right corner in the 36th minute. Atlanta United’s defenders began backpedaling as Acosta dribbled through the middle of the field, with no one closing down the space. Parkhurst said he may have been able to close down Acosta earlier, but he thought he had the shot blocked. Instead, as on the first goal, the ball also went through his legs.

D.C United made the score 3-1 in the 56th minute on a goal from Le Toux on an assist from Acosta. It appeared that Parkhurst kept Le Toux onside as Acosta’s long pass split Atlanta United’s back line.

Julian Gressel vs. Ian Harkes. Two of the early contenders for the MLS Rookie of the Year award faced off in the midfielder. Gressel started the first six games before coming on as a sub and contributing an assist in the win at Real Salt Lake. He was back in the 11 in place of Jeff Larentowicz, who didn’t make the 18 because of an undisclosed minor injury.

Harkes started D.C. United’s past six consecutive games, playing every minute.

Martino said Gressel has been dynamic, but Sunday wasn’t his best game. He missed the goal on two shots in the first half and not creating opportunities for his teammates.

Cooler heads. Leandro Gonzalez Pirez appeared to hit Le Toux with an elbow early in the second half. No foul was called. Later in the half, Asad was given a yellow card after raising his elbow and using it to hit Lloyd Sam in the jaw.

If the plays are reviewed by the MLS disciplinary committee, either or both could be suspended for next week’s game at NYCFC.