Five thoughts on Atlanta United being fun to watch again

For the third straight match, Atlanta United appeared like a reliable and succesful soccer staff. That reality in itself — contemplating how inconsistent and irritating the 2022 season has been — is an enormous win for the 5 Stripes. Sadly, a complete efficiency was solely sufficient to muster a scoreless draw in opposition to the Supporters’ Defend-leading Philadelphia Union. Whatever the end result, there are clear indicators that the staff is lastly adapting to Gonzalo Pineda’s type of play and that may solely imply good issues for the long run. Listed below are a few ideas on why the optimism ought to be flowing round Atlanta proper now:

• I’ll go forward a preface this column by admitting that it’s going to sound lots like my earlier one, the place I applauded the progress that the staff has made in current matches. As primary because it appears, the easy proven fact that we’ve seen three consecutive matches with the identical lineup and identical formation with related success is a large milestone. It has appeared like all season the staff has been looking for the fitting mixture of gamers and ways. It actually looks like they’ve discovered the latter, whereas the previous remains to be up for debate in some situations. The shift for the 4-3-3/4-2-3-1 (no matter you wish to name it) has been a godsend for the gamers and us followers watching each match. Even when it doesn’t produce targets, the staff simply appears extra fluid in assault and really seem as if they’ve a grasp on what they’re making an attempt to perform always.
• Having the ability to repeat these ways with related effectiveness is what I imply once I say the staff is constructing an id underneath Pineda. If everybody understands their function and expectations throughout the staff form is assured to construct confidence all through the squad regardless of who the supervisor picks for the lineup. That’s one thing that has been lacking all through the season. As soon as that id is totally engrained hopefully that can assist the membership purchase the gamers that match it.
• One very encouraging side of this current setup is how everybody appears to have purchased in emotionally together with tactically. A staff that has struggled mightily with form and self-discipline all season utterly and completely smothered the perfect staff in all of MLS for a complete 90 minutes. Any time Philladelphia tried to hit on the counter they had been both pressured right into a mistake or run right into a brick wall setup by Atlanta’s midfield and backline. It actually was a factor of magnificence to see Jim Curtin pouting like a five-year outdated within the grocery retailer after being denied a sweet bar when Atlanta shut them down on each counter try.
• After all there are nonetheless points. Frankly, this match shouldn’t have even been shut. This could’ve been Atlanta cruising to a straightforward 2-0 win. However sadly they’re simply lacking some high quality within the last third, as has been the case all season. Pineda can put all of the items in the fitting place and pull all the proper strings, but when there’s no last product, there’s actually not a lot else he can do. If 2017-19 Josef Martinez was on the market for this match we’d have seen the equal of Deion Sanders high-stepping to the tip zone, as an alternative we’re left with a irritating end result. That is what I imply once I say that the mildew seems to be taking form and now it’s as much as the membership to exit this offseason and discover the fitting substances. Whereas it appeared for almost all of the season that this roster wanted an enormous overhaul, gamers like Santiago Sosa and Alan Franco coming into their very own not too long ago has softened that idea. A number of essential additions to the roster within the winter — a dynamic, match-winning striker being on the high of the listing — and this staff might simply be again to being aggressive subsequent season.
• Surprisingly, thanks for his or her good run of type, Atlanta are nonetheless alive within the playoff race. I can confidently say I’ve gone from actively hoping they don’t make it in for concern of getting smacked within the first spherical to hoping they just do so we will proceed to see this new type get examined. I’ve loved watching this staff play soccer for the final three matches, one thing I’ve not mentioned a lot since 2019. Hopefully that is only the start.