The Impact’s finally returning home to Stade Saputo this Saturday at 1pm when Atlanta United FC pays a first-ever visit to the Bleu-blanc-noir (TVA Sports, CTV, 98,5FM & TSN Radio 690). Here are 10 things to know on this expansion team.
Context
After a bittersweet start at home to the Red Bulls, Atlanta United erupted with six goals against Minnesota United and four against Chicago. Two ties at Seattle and at Toronto have kept Tata Martino’s men in the top three, and their young attack – the second-best in MLS, behind Portland’s – is already wreaking havoc. An injury to forward Josef Martínez, the MLS Player of the Month of March, could yet catch up with Atlanta over the next couple of weeks. But for now, the Eastern Conference’s new boys are holding their own.
Current form (preseason and regular season)
W-L-W-W-D-D
Head coach
Gerardo ‘Tata’ Martino (2-1-2 all-time as Atlanta United FC coach) became Atlanta United FC’s first-ever head coach on September 27, 2016. An important figure at Newell’s Old Boys in Rosario, Argentina – Martino still holds the record for most appearances in competitive games, with 505 –, he played for his hometown club for most of his career. After his coaching debut in 1998, Martino started making waves in 2002, when he moved to Paraguay to take charge of Club Libertad, and later of Cerro Porteño. A national champion in 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2006, Martino then managed the Paraguay national team from 2007 to 2011. Despite a heavy 6-0 quarterfinal loss in 2007 at the Copa América, Martino kept going and led the team to the 2010 World Cup quarterfinals and to the 2011 Copa América final, where Uruguay prevailed by a 3-0 scoreline. After a stop by Newell’s, where he won the 2013 Torneo Final and lost a 2013 Copa Libertadores semifinal tie on penalties, Martino took the job at FC Barcelona, where his more direct play than that of Guardiola and Vilanova didn’t please everyone. After a single season in Catalonia, Martino moved on to the Argentina national team, which he led to two Copa América finals (both defeats to Chile) in 2015 and 2016.
Current top scorer
Josef Martínez (5)
Players to watch
1. Héctor Villalba (#15) – A right winger who moves just about everywhere, ‘Tito’ stunned BMO Field with his pace last week.
2. Leandro González Pírez (#5) – Very experienced for his 25 years of age, the central defender is solid at the back and can break lines with his passing.
3. Miguel Almirón (#10) – This young man is confident enough in his quality on the ball that he can take risks that pay off in the final third.
Team profile
One word is often used to describe Atlanta United FC’s attack: explosive (and all related nouns, verbs and adverbs). Tata Martino believes in fast, vertical play, with pressing and movement – and what his men have done thus far this season reflects just that. Atlanta uses its pace to the full when it attacks and tries to release its forward in behind the opposition backline – how often have you seen Martínez, Almirón or Villalba score in a 1-v-1 situation against the goalkeeper already? Atlanta regularly manages to make the opposition pay for its mistakes in possession, and the slightest lack of balance can become an opportunity. On the flip side, the expansion team has yet to score on a set play and isn’t much of a threat in the air – but Martino probably isn’t too worried about that at this stage of the season. And with so much attention directed to Atlanta’s attack, its defence has flown under the radar in spite of some fine work: a mere five goals conceded, including one on a penalty kick, and only three from open play.
Key stats
<strong>Shots on target*</strong> |
<strong>Goals scored from inside the penalty area</strong> |
<strong>Goals scored from outside the penalty area</strong> |
<strong>Goals scored on headers</strong> |
<p>4th (26)</p> |
<p>2nd (12)</p> |
<p>6th (1)</p> |
<p>7th (1)</p> |
<strong>Possession (%)</strong> |
<strong>Big chance conversion (%)</strong> |
<strong>Successful passes in attacking third (%)</strong> |
<strong>Duels won (%)</strong> |
<p>2nd (58.7%)</p> |
<p>3rd (77.8%)</p> |
<p>5th (67.7%)</p> |
<p>9th (51.2%)</p> |
*Source for all data is Opta
Tactical formation
Martino has been flexible this season, but numbers and movement down the middle have been constant. Lineup v Toronto (April 8): Kann; Mears, Parkhurst, González Pírez, Garza; Carmona, Larentowicz, Gressel; Villalba, Almirón, Asad.
Injuries, absences and call-ups (as of April 5)
D Zach Loyd (groin)
M Yamil Asad (suspended)
F Josef Martínez (quad)
F Jacob Peterson (ankle)
Next games
Real Salt Lake v Atlanta United FC (MLS, April 22)
Atlanta United FC v D.C. United (MLS, April 30)
New York City FC v Atlanta United FC (MLS, May 7)
