Atlanta United experienced the biggest heartbreak possible in its first playoff game in club history.
It does not seem fair, but it is actually a good thing Atlanta lost the way they did.
It was good to get the heartbreak out of the way early in the playoffs rather than experience it in the championship — like the Falcons did in the Super Bowl last season. The last thing the city of Atlanta needed was another championship heartbreak.
After such a roller coaster ride of a first season, it is important to focus on the highs rather than the lows.
In this case, there are way more highs — attendance records, a new stadium, goals scored, making the playoffs, SportsCenter Top 10s, international respect — and the list of accomplishments goes on and on.
Even with all of these positives, naturally, some anxieties will persist.
The main fear among supporters is that the team will sell some of its high-profile players during the offseason after star player Miguel Almirón, garnered interest from soccer clubs in England.
Fortunately, that will not be the case. This is because the MLS has a salary cap rule, unlike other soccer leagues across the globe. So, if Atlanta sells any player, they would only receive around a third of the profits.
Because of this, Club President Darren Eales has said that the team will not sell any star players unless they are offered a truly astronomical amount of money in an interview with Men in Blazers last week.
Atlanta will return next season with more experience, the same great players and probably some additions. So, chin up Atlanta United fans, it could have been much worse. The future is bright, and the only way from here is up.
