With Atlanta United’s season over, the reshaping of the roster will begin soon under Vice President Carlos Bocanegra.
This wasn’t the season many anticipated, with the team missing the MLS playoffs for only the second time in six seasons. Injuries decimated the lineup.
It’s time to take a position-by-position look at the roster over the coming days.
GOALKEEPERS
The team was forced to start four goalkeepers during the season: Brad Guzan, Bobby Shuttleworth, Rocco Rios Novo and Raul Gudino.
Collectively, they averaged 1.53 goals against, according to FBref.com, a .617 saves percentage, which was the worst in MLS, and had a .176 clean-sheet percentage and six clean sheets. Its post-shot expected goals of 47.6 was close to the league’s average. Opponents scored 12 goals from corner kicks, which was tied for second most in the league.
Brad Guzan
He made seven starts before suffering a ruptured Achilles tendon that ended his season.
Team record: 3-2-2
Goals against (average): 9 (1.32)
Clean sheets: 2
Post-shot expected goals: 7.3
The team missed his leadership on the field after his injury against Cincinnati. He was a constant presence at the training ground and attended the home matches and several road matches. He is under contract for next season.
Bobby Shuttleworth
He made seven appearances, including six starts, before abruptly retiring.
Team record: 1-3-2
Goals against (average): 9 (1.45)
Clean sheets: 0
Post-shot expected goals: 11.1
He didn’t appear to have a lot of confidence, as evidenced by him catching only 4.3% of the crosses that came into the penalty box. Guzan caught 10%.
Rocco Rios Novo
Rios Novo is on loan from Lanus in Argentina.
Team record: 4-6-5
Goals against (average): 27 (1.74)
Clean sheets: 2
Post-shot expected goals: 22.6
Rios Novo became the starter after Shuttleworth’s retirement. He showed a lot of potential, but at times his inexperience, such as the free kick scored by Orlando, was obvious.
Raul Gudino
He was signed as a free agent. The team has an option on his contract for next season.
Team record: 2-3-1
Goals against (average): 7 (1.27)
Clean sheets: 2
Post-shot expected goals: 6.6
For more content about Atlanta United
Follow me on Twitter @DougRobersonAJC
On Facebook at Atlanta United News Now
On Instagram at DouglasDavidRoberson
Atlanta United coverage on The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Southern Fried Soccer podcast can be found
Apple - https://apple.co/3ISD6Ve
Spotify - https://spoti.fi/3L8TN0C
Google podcasts - https://bit.ly/32KlZW3
If you are listening to us for the first time, please follow us on Apple, Spotify or wherever you get your podcast ... and if you like what you hear, please give us a good rating so we can grow the show. If you have questions about the MLS team, you can email Doug Roberson at droberson@ajc.com, DM him on Twitter @dougrobersonajc or call 770-810-5297.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution has a special offer for Atlanta United supporters and listeners to this podcast. If you subscribe today, you will not only get unlimited digital access to the AJC and the Sunday paper for $2.30 a week but we are also throwing in a special limited-edition Atlanta United and Atlanta Journal-Constitution scarf. So sign up now at subscribe.ajc.com/utdscarf.
Atlanta United’s 2022 MLS results
Feb. 27 Atlanta United 3, Sporting KC 1
March 5 Colorado 3, Atlanta United 0
March 13 Atlanta United 2, Charlotte 1
March 19 Atlanta United 3, Montreal 3
April 2 Atlanta United 1, D.C. United 0
April 10 Charlotte 1, Atlanta United 0
April 16 Atlanta United 0, Cincinnati 0
April 24 Miami 2, Atlanta United 1
April 30 Montreal 2, Atlanta United 1
May 7 Atlanta United 4, Chicago 1
May 15 Atlanta United 2, New England 2
May 21 Atlanta United 2, Nashville 2
May 28 Columbus 2, Atlanta United 1
June 19 Atlanta United 2, Miami 0
June 25 Toronto 2, Atlanta United 1
June 30 New York Red Bulls 2, Atlanta United 1
July 3 Atlanta United 2, NYCFC 2
July 9 Austin 3, Atlanta United 0
July 13 Atlanta United 2, Real Salt Lake 1
July 17 Atlanta United 1, Orlando 1
July 24 L.A. Galaxy 2, Atlanta United 0
July 30 Atlanta United 0, Chicago 0
Aug. 6 Atlanta United 2, Seattle 1
Aug. 13 Atlanta United 2, Cincinnati 2
Aug. 17 New York Red Bulls 2, Atlanta United 1
Aug. 21 Atlanta United 2, Columbus 2
Aug. 28 Atlanta United 3, D.C. United 2
Aug. 31 Philadelphia 4, Atlanta United 1
Sept. 4 Portland 2, Atlanta United 1
Sept. 10 Atlanta United 4, Toronto 2
Sept. 14 Atlanta United 1, Orlando 0
Sept. 17 Atlanta United 0, Philadelphia 0
Oct. 1 New England 2, Atlanta United 1
Oct. 9 NYCFC 2, Atlanta United 1
About the Author