Atlanta United vs Real Salt Lake Mercedes Benz Stadium, Atlanta Saturday, Mar. 7, 7:30 PM Apple TV MLS Match Preview AJC's United coverage ATLUTD.com Claret & Cobalt Home page Player Availability Injury lists here. Probability that both Diego Luna and Deandre Yedlin will be among the absences for RSL. No suspensions shown for either side. Team Form ATL (0-0-2) SJE 2-0 ATL FCC 2-0 ATL RSL (1-0-1) RSL 2-1 SEA VAN 1-0 RSL ~ So, who thinks Atlanta might actually score? Anyone? Atlanta did finalize the addition of Paraguayan midfielder Matias Galarza this week, which will eventually mean Jacob moves to right back and Galarza partners with Alexy, er, Sanchez in attack. His stats don't make him out to be a primary goal scorer, and notes from others hint he's more like a physically aggressive point guard. At this point, he can't make things worse, so why not. Doubt he starts this weekend, tho. In the interim, the ___* question on everyone's mind is what can Atlanta do to put the ball into the (other team's) net? Building around Miggy hasn't exactly borne fruit, as evidenced by the stats: 9 shots per game, with only 2 on target. It's one thing to not win, it's something worse to be unattractive when doing so. Will we see a different lineup this time? Is the camp simply relying on energy from the home fans? Maybe donning the new alternative kit will prove inspiring! * sigh * *= Martino's salary
Not sure about that. Jacob's playing DM, and Galarza isn't that. I have to think he'll replace Sanchez, and Alexi would replace Saba. So unless Muyumba or Alzate is moved to DM, Jacob stays where he is.
Youngest child's birthday today, and all six of us will be at the game! Her club team won both of their games this morning (plus they wear red and black!). Need some goals and some epic fireworks and train horns to cap off the day.
Lineup changes from first two matches: - Jacob to right back for Hernandez - Alexy on for Saba - Muyumba takes Jacob's midfield spot
Actually, I'll be at the next game. Radio for me tonight. Looks like Jacob to RB plus Muyumba and Miranchuk getting the start instead of coming in as subs. Sanchez is still starting so Tata must really see something in him.
Down two nothing 30 minutes in and the crowd is starting to boo. I don't think Deila was the problem.
Radio guys 'Tata is not going to take the easy way out.' Me 'If the easy way out is scoring a goal...let's take the easy way.'
HT: 1-3 We got to chant "We scored a goal!" But in vintage '25 fashion the Stripes surrender another immediately after. Atlanta has looked better offensively compared to the first two matches, but defensively they're overmatched all across the line: Salt Lake's attacking corps has the best 2-3 players on the pitch right now.
Interesting, in Tata's post-game interview he said 'Miranchuk is one of best two players.' I wonder if he is leaving out Latte or Almiron.
Galarza is the real deal. He's making runs off the ball, he's looking to attack when he's on the ball. Our offense looked better Saturday than it has all season, but it's still too slow and deliberate. Nobody is making snap runs without the ball. And we don't have anybody who can win headers in the offensive third. Miranchuk really didn't look like much, but he did what we've been begging our attackers to do: take good shots. Almiron and Latte-Lath are way too slow to pull the trigger (not that LL ever even puts himself in position to take a good shot), and while Almiron is frequently in good position to score he often waits a beat too long and telegraphs his actions. Defensively, Tata has never really been very good. And this game was no different. We need an enforcer-type back there at DM to disrupt attacks, and a speedster to cover any Route 1 options. Hoyos is hot garbage. He made one decent save all game, and then immediately threw the ball to an RSL attacker, and he looked really bad on two of RSL's goals.
Monday post-mortem: - Quick plug for Doug Roberson's new Substack, Soccer with Doug, now that he's been cut by the AJC. If you can, follow him and/ Scarves and Stripes to help give local coverage a boost. - As for Atlanta, they looked better overall. Alexy is simply the most creative player on the side right now, so the attack is typically better with him in the side. That, plus the home setting likely helped the team to their boost in shots, shots on target, goals, and chances created. It still looked unpolished and at times far too static, but it was noticeably improved from weeks 1&2. - Jacobs at right back had mixed results. His recovery and offensive contribution was better than what Hernandez has delivered, but he has some lapses on the defensive end. Granted, since the entire defense was so poor it's tough to say how much was on him versus the whole unit. Berrocal and Mihaj played like they didn't know each other, and as has been pointed out Hoyos was just poor. How Hibbert isn't getting a shot is beyond me. - Galarza did add speed and punch to the midfield when he came on. Very reminiscent of early Miggy. He signals a probable upgrade in talent. - symbolic of the team's worst this season, the tifo commemorating Tata's return was flubbed. An omen of what's to come?