Whenever a team wins a championship, the expectations placed upon it grow higher when the next season rolls around. At the same time, some teams experience championship hangover, where the start of said next season sees the defending champion playing rather sluggishly, seemingly still coming down from the high of winning it all at the end of the previous season.

Atlanta United, aka the Five Stripes, have not been immune to this, getting off to a slow start during the 2019 MLS season, but the tide has turned. Things have not been the same so far this season for the Five Stripes, but despite a handful of changes from last season, the team is coming together and taking care of business like it should be, shaking off the championship hangover and competing like it is known for.Â