Tyrone Mears has not a bad thing to say about Seattle ahead of Atlanta United’s preseason game against the reigning MLS Cup holders Wednesday in the Carolina Challenge Cup.
Mears, a right fullback, was traded from Seattle to Atlanta in the offseason after helping the Sounders recover from a disastrous start to the season to defeating Toronto in the championship.
“We had a great season,” he said. “I have very good memories of playing at the club.”
Mears rattles off a list of people he still considers friends, from teammates he may face Wednesday, to the equipment managers to those who covered the team.
He may get to see them again when the team receives its rings and visit to the White House. Mears, a native of Manchester, England, knows that some athletes who have won championships in other sports have said they will decline invitations to the visit President Donald Trump. Mears said he thinks it will be a good experience to visit the White House.
After starting 65 games in two seasons, Mears said Seattle had a decision to make on exercising the option on his contract. He said the team made an offer, but it wasn’t right.
“It wasn’t anything angry,” he said. “We shook hands. I enjoyed my experience there. it was great. I missed three games in two seasons. I gave a lot to the club as well. We finished on a good note .”
Atlanta acquired his rights Jan. 24 and Mears was immediately slotted in by manager Gerardo Martino as a starter because of his pace and athleticism.
“The way he (Martino) wants to play its exciting, will be exciting for the fans,” Mears said. “A lot of goals, which fans want to see.”
Jacob Peterson, who signed with Atlanta United as a free agent, was at Sporting Kansas City, where he faced Mears several times.
“He’s very good at going forward,” Peterson said. “He makes the right decision when he’s on the ball. He’s one of the best in the league at that. He serves in a good ball. He’s technical with both feet. He has a very strong reputation around the league. Everybody really understands that he’s a quality player.”
The interesting thing is Mears’ abilities as an attacking fullback may be more fully utilized by Martino than they were at Seattle.
Because Seattle features offensive players who had more license to roam, Seattle’s defenders typically hung back to maintain a defensive shape.
While Martino wants Atlanta United’s defense to maintain a compact shape, he does want the fullbacks on both sides to bomb forward. It’s a skill that Mears developed while playing in England and France.
Peterson said that’s not fun for the players trying to defend those fullbacks.
“Most wingers and midfielders don’t like to defend,” he said. “When you can have fullbacks that can push on, that are good, that are technical on the ball, but also have good positioning and can think about the next pass, it’s difficult.”
Mears has shown that ability in the first two games, a 4-0 win over Chattanooga and a 2-1 loss to Columbus. Though he hasn’t been credited with an assist, he has put in some dangerous passes.
“Usually wingers will switch off and not track the fullbacks,” Mears said. “It’s certainly the way ‘Tata’ wants to play. It’s about making an advantage, whether it’s two versus one or three versus two. A player like a fullback can give those options. A lot of teams, attacking players switch off.”
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