For the second consecutive year, Atlanta United’s form has plunged at the worst possible time. The team suffered an excruciating 4-1 loss to a subpar Toronto side on Sunday, forfeiting the Supporters’ Shield to the New York Red Bulls on the last day of the season.



Tata Martino’s men are days away from traveling to the Bronx for the first match of a two-leg conference semifinal against NYCFC, but they appear to be a shadow of the team that set the standard for much of the 2018 MLS season with an impressive 69 points and 70 goals.



As in 2017, Atlanta is battling injuries to key players and struggling to stave off the fatigue of a 34-game regular season. Every team suffers injuries, but Atlanta’s seem to be especially linked to the club’s aggressive style of play—and possibly to an insufficient recovery and fitness regime.



Let’s start with Miguel Almirón. In 2017 and again in 2018, one of the...