Atlanta Falcons
It usually is not a great sign when giant news breaks during training camp. That was the case on Sunday, when the Falcons announced their former second-round pick, Jalen Collins, will be suspended for the first ten games of the 2017 season. This is his second PED violation and the second year in a row Collins will start the season on a suspension.
For more on the Collins suspension and what is next for the Falcons click here.Â
Atlanta United
The United looked to continue their fantastic form on the road against Sporting Kansas City, who sported the best defense in the MLS coming into the match. The first half did not feature a lot of action, as Kansas City was the only side to manage a shot on target, and it was easily handled by United keeper Brad Guzan.
In the 60th minute, it would be the referee’s whistle that would change the game. It was a Leandro González Pirez foul in the box that sent Benny Feilhaber to the spot to convert on a penalty. Feilhaber finished the penalty giving the home side a 1-0 lead in the second half.
But like the United have shown all season, and especially recently, they are never out of the game. They fought for the full ninety once again and it paid off with a point. In stoppage time, a ball came flying into the box that bounced off of a Kansas City defender perfectly to Jacob Peterson, who was brought on as a substitute, and finished for the game-tying score.
Thankfully, the United will have a short break before they take FC Dallas on September 10th. The time off should allow for the squad to get healthy as the continue to fight for a playoff spot down the stretch. September 10th’s matchup versus FC Dallas will be the first ever game in the brand new Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Atlanta Braves
After a tough stretch for Atlanta, they looked to complete a sweep of the Fish on Sunday behind Lucas Sims, who was making just his second career start.
The afternoon did not get off to the start Sims envisioned though, as he allowed two home-runs and four earned runs in the first inning. The first came to Marcell Ozuna, his 26th homer of the season, with two men on base. The second came two batters later to Derek Dietrich, a solo shot that gave the Marlins an early 4-0 lead. Sims settled down though, allowing no runs over the next five innings, and finishing with a line of six innings, six hits, four earned runs and three strikeouts.
The problem was the Braves bats got nothing going against the Marlins starting pitcher, Jose Urena. Urena effectively kept the Braves off balance, allowing just three hits and one earned run over six innings.
That still gave the Braves lineup a shot against a Marlins bullpen they have feasted on this season. But the offense would never wake up. The Marlins bullpen would throw three near perfect innings, allowing just a single hit, as the Braves fell in the series finale, 4-1.
Atlanta will have a day off before the Phillies come to town for a quick two-game set. The Phillies have had the Braves number this season, winning nine of their eleven games and recently sweeping the Bravos over four games. Julio Teheran will get the ball in the opener against Mark Leiter Jr.