We looked rusty as hell, and the pitch conditions didn't help. I also got the impression that Nashville's starting XI are going to be very strong for a USL side. Martinez's goal was classic hustle, and jumping on an unexpected opportunity, but he and Almiron just weren't on the same page for any of the first half. Barco's potential was very obvious, and his ability to make quality plays with either foot is going to be a difference maker, but I could tell that he was still getting used to his new teammates. Nagbe looked really solid on the ball in tight quarters, but made a few more give aways passing than I expected. Hoping that was the conditions and also the new teammates. I was a really big fan of Alec Kann's last year, but watching him and Guzan in the same game made the gap in their quality too glaring to overlook. Brad owned the box, and was calm cool and in control. Alec couldn't have done better on the goal and wasn't at all at fault, but he was just a bit less sure with his feet and more nervy overall. The most exciting thing that I saw today was Chris Goslin and Andrew Carleton. I expected them to be overmatched and a clear drop in quality from the starters, but they really impressed. Goslin is much closer to being ready to replace Carmona than Carleton is for Almiron, and if we have to spend the year with Larry playing next to Nagbe, I could see Goslin taking over next year after a full year at UTD2 and spot duty with the first team. I realize they were playing against Nashville's second team, and while their first team looked solid there was an extreme drop off as they went through their bench, but the kid's still looked composed, fast, and unintimidated. Glad we got out off Nashville with no injuries, having seen something from everyone we brought, and least importantly the win. I think they've got the makings of a good organization there. Looking forward to making that trip in the future.
Yeah, as soon as that live stream started with dudes using squeegie rollers to get huge puddles off the infield sod, I knew that game was going to be ugly. In those conditions I'm kind of surprised that Tata started the royalty and stayed with them so long. We looked much better against Nashville's second-stringers. The drop off in talent between Atlanta and Nashville from the starters to the subs is way steeper for the USL club. Barco looked dangerous, but it seemed like we were trying to force the ball through him in the first half. Nashville just concentrated about 9 yellow shirts in that area of the pitch and clogged everything up. We need to find a way to break down teams who park the bus in bad playing conditions. At the end of the day, we got a win and we didn't get anybody injured.
Caught about half the match on line and the only thing I'll take from this is that we got some practice for our match in the Bronx against NYCFC. Comical pitch with no width. Looking forward to our first match on an actual soccer field
Hard to take any lessons from those kind of conditions, but I’m still concerned with the team’s ability to break down that kind of defense. The team likes to pass on the ground, and with that many bodies you have a razor-thin window to make those passes. The weather didn’t help, but we’ll see if a defense like DC still gives the offense fits. Man this team is short. They’re going to give up some goals on set pieces. I like McCann, but getting in a replacement for Carmona would be ideal. Not terribly confident if he has to play CDM for a lot of minutes. He gets beat too often.
Thought the OP hit all the high notes. About what we could expect from the first game back. Will be interesting to see how often Tata tries to go with Nagbe as a defensive/holding mid. Clearly he's looking to foster something even more attacking.
This was an issue all last year, too. Every corner kick is taken short, every free kick outside of direct shooting range is a horizontal or short pass, and every defensive set piece is a heart attack.
He's not going to be the answer. I personally was kind of concerned whenever he replaced Garza as well. Tata or Nagbe?