The Columbus Crew were on a roll going into Atlanta Saturday. In their previous six matches, they had won five in a row, then tied Charlotte at home last Wednesday.

There was reason to believe the streak would continue Saturday when they took a 1-0 lead after the first half, but Atlanta United spoiled things with two goals in the second half to win 2-1.

The Crew were playing their second game without goalkeeper Patrick Schulte, who is in Europe with the U.S. Olympic team, but Nicho Hagen played well against Charlotte at home and had another solid performance in Atlanta.

The Black & Gold got things started at 35′ when Alex Matan took a shot from a tough angle from the left of the goal. The ball bounced off the Atlanta defense crowded in front of keeper Brad Guzan. Diego Rossi was in the right place at the right time and chipped it in for the score.

In the second half, Atlanta’s Stian Gregersen scored twice, at 60′ and 76′, both on headers off driving corner kicks. Hagen had little chance to make a save on either attempt as Gregersen’s 6’3 frame rose above the Crew defenders, unchallenged.

Most of the Crew get a short break before returning to action in a friendly against the Premier League’s Aston Villa next Saturday at Lower.com Field. A host of Crew players will be in action Wednesday in the MSL All-Star Game in Columbus.