By Tim Childers (@childers1788, @1788sports)

As the MLS regular season inches ever closer, Atlanta United continues to prepare for their sophomore season with the second game in the Carolina Challenge Cup against Minnesota United. After losing the opening game against the Columbus Crew 3-1, Atlanta United looked to get back into winning form in time for the season opener. After an interesting first half, Atlanta conceded a penalty kick to go down 1-0. However, they were rescued by their 15 million dollar man, as Ezequiel Barco scored a wonderful late goal to equalize, giving Atlanta a 1-1 result.

Attack Gets Back In Form

While they were unable to finish most of their chances, Atlanta United’s attack started to show why they should be one of the most feared in the MLS. The interplay in the attack was something to behold, especially considering that one of Atlanta’s best creative players, Hector Villalba, didn’t start. The attack showed the explosiveness that they failed to display in any of their previous pre-season matches. If it wasn’t for a beyond stellar performance by Minnesota United goalkeeper Matt Lampson, this could’ve been another Atlanta goal fest that we saw throughout last season.

Defense Still Shaky

While the attack isn’t a question mark, Atlanta’s defense definitely is. While they were playing without captain Michael Parkhurst and newcomer Franco Escobar, the defense was porous at best. Minnesota never really created chances and any breakaways they had were the result of defensive mistakes. While you shouldn’t be too worried of how Atlanta’s’ back four played down two starters, midfield is another story. With Carmona going back home to Chile, Atlanta is in desperate need of someone to step up in the number 6 role. While Larentowicz has experience, he probably won’t be able to be a full-time starter, and the production that Atlanta has gotten out of Chris McCann is less than ideal.

Officiating Questionable At Best

While preseason is no time to start moaning about the refs, Wednesdays match was exceptionally bad. Throughout the game, clear calls were ignored until Chris McCann was called for a clear foul in the box, leading to Minnesota’s first and only goal. MLS refs continue to show a clear inability to recognize the difference between simulation and clear fouls. In the past this would be annoying at worst, but with diving resulting in yellow cards, mistakes by the referees could wrongly affect teams throughout the season.

Atlanta United Closes Out the Preseason Against Charleston Battery on Saturday