MLS Eastern Conference: Philadelphia Union surge, Atlanta United's shock win & more on each team

Welcome back our two-part weekly MLS column here at Backheeled where we break down all 29 teams in the league.

I’ve got the East. Joe Lowery's got the West. Miami have ballers. Nashville have 99 problems. Let’s gain this grain.

To read up on the West, check out Joe’s rundown.

MLS Western Conference: DPs debut, Colorado Rapids impress & more on each team

We’re dissecting every MLS team in the Western Conference.

BackheeledJoseph Lowery

Atlanta United

Result: 2-1 win vs. Columbus Crew

The Five Stripes beat Columbus. Brad Guzan didn’t make a single save. Buy your lottery tickets this week, folks.

Atlanta won 2-1, and it could have been a lot worse. They were a post, a few last-minute deflections, and a couple Nicholas Hagen saves away from adding to their lead. But they made their money from set pieces. They caused Columbus problems all night, coming close a handful of times before Stian Gregersen scored the exact same goal twice. Don’t believe me? Let’s roll the tape. Here’s one:

Here’s two:

Atlanta grabbed four points from their last two games before Leagues Cup, and with a boatload of cash burning a hole in Garth Lagerwey’s pocket, they’re going to be a completely different team when MLS returns. 

Charlotte FC

Result: 2-2 draw vs. Austin FC

The Karol Swiderski redemption tour has officially begun.

Immediately after returning from his loan to Hellas Verona (a loan which Charlotte really hoped would turn into a permanent move), the Polish international slotted right into the starting lineup, scored a penalty, and looked like a pretty seamless fit into Dean Smith’s system.

Even more than Swiderski, though, I absolutely loved watching Iuri Tavares this week. With Liel Abada heading to the Olympics, the former Crown Legacy standout got the nod and made it two goals in his last two starts. He’s such an interesting profile for a winger. He has the pace and trickery you’d want from a winger, but at 6’3” he also has target-man strength and movement in the box. 

He absolutely bodies Hector Jimenez here, and it’s such a quality finish. I’ve been banging the Charlotte drum all season, and it’s paying off.