PANIC MODE Atlanta United sit below the red line for the first time since June and this is terrible news. We must start winning games, something we haven't done IN MORE THAN A MONTH! What's that you say? Oh, we're at least two matches behind anyone and this week is our first match in 17 days? And we have two matches this week against teams who have been below the red line for most of the season? So, we don't need to panic? Huh... The first of these matches should be the easiest. But we've said that twice already and look where that's gotten us. Atlanta United haven't played since Aug. 6 when the team played possibly the worst it has all season and managed a point at Sporting KC. Unfortunately, Montreal is on a four-game winning streak and Columbus has picked up a couple of wins while we laid dormant. On paper, Atlanta should be able to defeat D.C. United, but twice DCU has defeated Atlanta in confounding fashion. The Capital club have scored only 20 goals this season and have given up 44. That's right, they have a -24 GD and have only played 22 matches. However, they've outscored Atlanta 5-2 in two matches. DC play a style of soccer that has derailed Atlanta all season; DC's sit-back-and-hope-we-get-some-luck approach has seemingly only worked against the Five Stripes, but teams like Vancouver, Colorado and San Jose have had success using this as well. Now, I'm not one to make absolute claims, but if Atlanta wants to make make this final push for the playoffs, it starts with these final August matches. AUFC is currently in 7th place with 35 points, 1 point behind both Columbus and Montreal and 3 points behind NYRB for fourth. Josef Martinez fully trained (from what I could see) at the MBS opener on Saturday and will hopefully play on Wednesday. Actually, he's only played 27 minutes against DCU all season. Will Atlanta finally win against DC? Will DC's newest water park be ready for a soccer match? What are your projected lineups?
Was actually hoping to beat you to this one, but seeing as it took me 6 hours to get home from Dillard yesterday... We need a picture of the team with something saying "Hi. Remember us?" I forget the manager who said it but in response to how you beat teams like this he said (WTTE) "Simple. Don't make mistakes." Rings so true in this instance. I'm hoping the open house event provided just the distraction and motivator for the team to shake off the malaise that surely set in during their time off. No doubt they'll display some rust at the outset of the match but hopefully they're also excited to play again. In this case I think it's great that DCU is who they play coming off the break: There should be plenty of fire in everyone's tanks to go out and get the job done! Especially after seeing other eastern playoff contenders drop points! Will chime in again after we hear injury reports, but my early gut says AU gets the job done this time. Scrappy, to be sure, but this time the heroes prevail.
Per MLS: Atlanta United Suspended: None Int'l duty: None Injuries: OUT: GK - Alec Kann (left quad injury); QUESTIONABLE: F Kenwyne Jones (right knee swelling), D Mark Bloom (lower back), F Josef Martinez (right foot) D.C. United Suspended: None International Duty: None Injury Report: OUT: M Rob Vincent (knee), M Patrick Nyarko (concussion); QUESTIONABLE: D Taylor Kemp (hip); PROBABLE: M Ian Harkes (ankle), F Deshorn Brown (concussion) So Josef may or may not play... I would much rather play him against DC and get that monkey off our backs than against Philly. However, taking points at Philly would be more valuable, as they are climbing the ladder right now. Nyarko out is good for us, though.
Glad to see Garza not listed among the injured. Hopefully his shoulder is near 95% and won't factor at all tonight. As for Josef, if there's any doubt then keep him on the bench until he's healthy. would hate to rush him onto the pitch and lose him again while he tries to play safe and compromises his game. Further, Atlanta shouldn't NEED him to win this game. As always, form is critical. So long as they play well tonight then I'll have faith going forward. Struggle tonight and then not only does this outcome matter but the weekend trip up 85 becomes even more dire and daunting.
Couldn't ask for more. Martinez gets the start. Garza as well. Let's get the W and keep everyone healthy!
What a f***ing farce. S*** performance. First touches, passing, recovery... just pathetic. They looked like a team that's been off for 2 weeks. In hindsight coming back to work with DCU, on the road on a weeknight, was a bad formula. 2 shots on goal, outshot during one stretch 11-0, and just no organization in that final third. I'm so pissed right now it's not even funny. They just lost to a pick-up team three times this season. F***.
As shared on the PBP board... So Atlanta dropped all 9 points to DCU this season. How stupefying has it been? Game 1 - @ Atlanta 74% possession + 17 shot differential lose 3-1 Parkhurst with an OG Game 2 - @ DCU 55% -2 diff, but still putting 5 shots on target lose 2-1 Game 3 - @ DCU 65% +2 diff but only 2 on goal, with one stretch being out shot 11-0 lose 1-0 Parkurst with an OG Lessons learned? - Stop playing weeknight games in DC - Sit Parkhurst in these matches I hope Audi Field becomes as horrid a home field disadvantage for them as it looks!
Question: Am I off base in thinking that last night Villalba's link-up play was poor to the point of being detrimental? I Especially if we're keeping Walkes as the new starter at right back then we may need to find a new formation or something because they simply were not creating quality chances. I realize the pitch and the atmosphere sucked but those can't be excuses. Also, this is about 4-5 games now where the offensive punch has been anemic. Credit opposing teams with learning more about how to play against AU but conversely Coach Tata and Company should be fully prepared to see certain lock-down approaches coming. From MILES away, even. So either the lads are mentally or physically struggling or the overall plan needs tweaking. IF they assume to be in the upper half of playoff teams, anyway.
Don't forget that it was the (albeit ill advised pass to him) turnover from Parkhurst that gave DC the goal last time around.
THIS This is the scary point for me. We haven't seen any dynamism moving forward since the 4th of July against San Jose. If we were still bossing possession and putting up tons of shots we may be able to call it unlucky but the fact is that we've not seen a glimmer of what was on display earlier in the season. We can continue to excuse it away: DC is out boogie team. Orlando is our derby KC was on the road Too long of break Too many games in a row etc but unless we start adapting and acting like the attacking team we were built to be we're going to continue to be frustrated
Past 4 games (@ ORL, ORL, @SKC, @ DCU) Possession 55% 64% 46% 65% Nothing extraordinary here. Knew the SKC game would be tough. Critical nature is where the possession occurs and though I haven't checked heat maps I'd be curious to see how much of it was in the final third. Likely low, and likely not in any constructive capacity. Shots 8 17 7 15 So the road games proved tough save for the back half of last night when ATL padded their stats chasing an equalizer. Would be curious to compare this to all road/home games. Shots on goal 6 6 2 2 The kicker. 4 shots on goal in the past 2 games! That's harsh for a team that once lead the league in goals scored. Clearly teams are adjusting to limit Atlanta's opportunities, arguably by pressing higher and forcing the attacks wide. SOG conceded 5 1 3 6 Nothing huge here but it tells me defensively of late Atlanta has little margin for error. They typically out-shoot their opponents but yield too many quality chances, meaning the pressure is on to score 1-2 themselves.