10 things on Atlanta United FC

There’s no time to celebrate a rivalry win for the Bleu-blanc-noir. The Impact travels for the first time in MLS to Georgia for another big challenge, another great attacking side, Atlanta United FC, at their brand new Mercedes-Benz Stadium, this Sunday at 5pm (TVA Sports, FOX, 98,5fm, TSN Radio 690). Here are 10 things on the expansion team led by Tata Martino.
Context
It looks like there will be a before and an after for Atlanta United FC. Surprising, considering the club’s short history, but explainable: its breathtaking Mercedes-Benz Stadium home, opened since the start of the month, has already hosted four MLS games and over 200,000 supporters, as well as seeing the Atlantans score 17 goals during that run – not against the best teams, granted, but still. Up to now, only Atlanta’s natural rival, Orlando City SC, was able to score on that turf. In the meantime, Josef Martínez turns everything he touches into gold, scoring eight times, and that includes two consecutive hat tricks against the Revs and the Lions.
Current form (across all competitions)
W-W-W-W-D-L
Head coach
Gerardo ‘Tata’ Martino (13-8-7 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 (17)
Players to watch        
1. Héctor Villalba (#15) – A right winger who moves just about everywhere, ‘Tito’ is always a threat because of his speed and skill.
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, and scores his fair share of goals.
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. 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? Atlanta regularly manages to make the opposition pay for its mistakes in possession, and the slightest lack of balance can become an opportunity. 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 35 goals conceded, which put them in third place in the league on that front.
In 2017 :

*Source for all data is Opta
Tactical formation
The attacking quartet switches around, mixes it up and creates space. Lineup against LA Galaxy (September 20): Guzan; McCann, González Pirez, Parkhurst, Walkes; Carmona, Larentowicz; Asad, Almirón, Villalba; Martínez.
Most recent games against the Impact
Atlanta’s first ever game in Montreal did not go too well for them, González Pirez seeing red in the first half and Anthony Jackson-Hamel offering his team all three points in stoppage time with a quick-thinking goal.
Injuries, absences and call-ups (as of September 22)
D Greg Garza (thigh)
Upcoming games
Atlanta United FC v Philadelphia Union (MLS, September 27)
New England Revolution v Atlanta United FC (MLS, September 30)
Atlanta United FC v Minnesota United FC (MLS, October 3)