{"id":45040,"date":"2022-09-19T13:00:46","date_gmt":"2022-09-19T17:00:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/soccer\/?p=45040"},"modified":"2022-09-19T13:00:46","modified_gmt":"2022-09-19T17:00:46","slug":"philadelphia-union-atlanta-united-mls","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/soccer\/2022\/09\/19\/philadelphia-union-atlanta-united-mls\/","title":{"rendered":"Philadelphia Union should be pleased with a point against Atlanta United"},"content":{"rendered":"

Philadelphia Union<\/a> clinched a Concacaf Champions League berth, but in perhaps the most underwhelming fashion imaginable, courtesy of a goalless draw away to Atlanta United.<\/p>\n

With two games to go in the regular MLS season, had the Union won at Mercedes-Benz Stadium then they would\u2019ve sealed top spot in the Eastern Conference.<\/p>\n

As it happens, they didn\u2019t. And all things considered, were perhaps fortunate to come away from their clash against The Five Stripes<\/em> with what could prove a pivotal point.<\/p>\n

Far from doom and gloom<\/h3>\n

It was frustrating to see CF Montreal clinch a victory over New England Revolution by a sole goal, courtesy of a 72nd minute Alastair Johnston winner. However, the Union\u2019s fate is still in their hands.<\/p>\n

With two games to go, the last of which comes at home to a Toronto team with nothing to play for, the Supporters Shield is on the verge of being sealed.<\/p>\n

A place in the playoffs may be slipping away from Charlotte. Charlotte are a side who are looking to win their three remaining games to cap off a phenomenal expansion season. A superb comeback win, from two down away to Chicago Fire, which included a 96th minute winner has The Crown<\/em> believing that they can go toe-to-toe with Jim Curtin\u2019s side.<\/p>\n

Whilst three points would\u2019ve been ideal for Philadelphia heading into the clash in North Carolina, they clinched a draw against Atlanta thanks to a superb defensive display.<\/p>\n

Attack wins you games, defense\u00a0wins you leagues<\/h3>\n

It\u2019s no surprise to see that the side that has conceded the fewest goals in MLS sits at the top of their conference. That isn\u2019t the case in the Western Conference, mind you, as FC Dallas sit in third spot but aren\u2019t quite as prolific offensively as the superstar squad being assembled at LAFC.<\/p>\n

But it\u2019s not rocket science to suggest that the fewer goals you concede, the more chance you have of picking up points on a consistent basis.<\/p>\n

Couple that with the most prolific attack in the division and it\u2019s a recipe for success. However, it\u2019s fair to say that the Union\u2019s defensive ingredients were of greater importance at the weekend. None more so than goalkeeper Andre Blake who pulled off several stunning saves to clinch his 14th clean sheet in 32 games.<\/p>\n

\n

Here's where the East stands after Week 32. \ud83d\udc40 pic.twitter.com\/dOZoQ7hGyk<\/a><\/p>\n

— Major League Soccer (@MLS) September 19, 2022<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n