ATLANTA — Atlanta United lost 1-0 to New England Revolution Saturday at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Homegrown defender George Campbell made his first career start in MLS while Amar Sejdic made his first start with the club.
It was the fourth time in the last five matches the Five Strips have failed to find the net without Josef Martinez.
“It’s true that is the statistic," Atlanta United head coach Gabriel Heinze said. "We of course were trying to score a goal in this game. I’m not sure if he (Josef Martinez) could have helped in this game, but he will be joining the team after this game. I need to see how he is right now. We want him fit.”
Atlanta pressured New England’s goal early and had a scoring opportunity in the 13th minute when Marcelino Moreno found Cubo Torres on right side of box following a breakaway. The Mexican forward put a shot on frame that was saved by Brad Knighton and cleared for corner.
The ensuing corner kick was cleared out of the box, but Moreno collected it, side-stepped a defender and unleashed a blistering shot from 30 yards out that was pushed over the bar for another corner, which produced a shot from Anton Walkes, but was ultimately cleared away.
New England took the lead in the 18th minute through Gustavo Bou. Wilfrid Kaptoum sent in a cross from the right side to Adam Buksa, who slipped in the box, but quickly recovered to lay it off for Bou where he scored to the center of the goal after his shot took a deflection off Campbell.
Atlanta dominated possession in the second half 63-37 but couldn’t find the equalizing goal. Newcomer Sejdic put a shot on frame in the 82nd minute, as well as Moreno in the 84th, but both attempts were comfortably saved by Knighton.
Atlanta (2-4-7, 13 points) returns to action Wednesday, July 21 against FC Cincinnati at TQL Stadium (8 p.m., FS1, Sports Radio 92-9 The Game, La Mejor).
