# @clubeleven on Instagram

- **Type:** Image
- **Original URL:** https://www.instagram.com/p/B7EiBPCpqO_
- **Gondola URL:** https://gondola.cc/posts/197726-clubeleven-instagram
- **Thumbnail:** https://img.gondola.cc/tr:w-,h-,fo-auto/postThumbnails/039520bb90.jpg
- **Posted:** 2020-01-08T19:42:44.000+00:00
- **Account Owner:** CLUBELEVEN (@clubeleven) — https://gondola.cc/clubeleven

## Caption

Atlanta United entered 2019 with a huge target on their backs. The defending champions retained their talismanic striker Josef Martinez, and despite losing Miguel Almiron to Newcastle United, they were able to sign River Plate’s Pity Martinez to replace the nifty Paraguayan midfielder. Atlanta also appointed Frank de Boer as their new head coach following Tata Martino’s exit at the end of 2018. With most key pieces from their championship run still in the squad, the addition of Pity Martinez, and a new manager with European experience, all signs pointed to Atlanta United picking up right where they had left off the previous season. However, the beginning of 2019 was rough for Atlanta. The dominance of the ball and explosiveness that characterized Tata Martino’s side was lacking during the first quarter of the season. Adjusting to De Boer’s style, coupled with most team’s extra drive to beat the reigning champions, was a tough hurdle to overcome for Atlanta. In their first six league games, De Boer’s side only managed to win one match, and questions about whether Atlanta could truly defend their title began to surface. Soon enough, though, Atlanta kicked into gear. Josef Martinez started scoring and the pieces began to fall into place. Star signing Pity Martinez seemed to never fully adjust, but the Atlanta United regulars still made things work and lifted their team up the Eastern Conference standings. Atlanta finished the regular season with a 18-12-4 record (W-L-D), enough to earn them the number 2 seed in the East. In the playoffs, Atlanta squeaked by the NE Revolution in the first round, and then soundly defeated the Philadelphia Union in the Conference Semifinal. Unfortunately for Atlanta United, their title defense ended at the hands of Toronto FC in a hard-fought Eastern Conference Final at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Despite their failure to repeat their championship, Atlanta reaffirmed their status as a major soccer city in North America. Not only did the fans deliver a fantastic atmosphere every single matchday, but the squad was also able to add silverware to their trophy case through victories in the US Open Cup and the Campeones Cup.

## Stats

- **Views:** 0
- **Likes:** 138
- **Shares:** 0
- **Comments:** 3

## Credits

These are the roles credited on Gondola. Credits may be incomplete.
A brand, account owner, or featured person is not necessarily the creator.

| Name | Username | Profile | Role |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| CLUBELEVEN | @clubelevenmag | https://gondola.cc/clubelevenmag | Media Company |
| Dave Williamson | @DaveWphoto | https://gondola.cc/DaveWphoto | Photographer |

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