Atlanta United has a chance to remind the rest of MLS that it is the defending champs and still has arguably the most talent of any team in the league if it defeats LAFC on Friday at Banc of California Stadium.
While LAFC has 46 points and is running away with the Supporters’ Shield this season while playing soccer in a similar way that Atlanta United did the previous two seasons, the Five Stripes have 36 points and have adopted a more pragmatic, some MLS pundits have described at as quizzical, approach this season under new manager Frank de Boer.
But a win by Atlanta United, on LAFC’s home field where it is the last remaining unbeaten team in MLS this season with an 8-0-1 record, could alter many narratives that are developing about this season.
“We know they are one of the candidates to win the league,” Atlanta United fullback Franco Escobar said. “We want to show them that Atlanta United is up for it and has aspirations to fight for the league we have to go out there and have a good performance.”
Atlanta United’s players and manager Frank de Boer said the storylines will be dependent upon how Friday’s result is achieved.
“It depends upon how good we perform,” de Boer said. “A sneaky victory to get 3 points and they were much better, I don’t think so.
“If we were better and we deserved the victory, they can say Atlanta is there to battle for the MLS Cup.”
LAFC is coming off a 3-2 loss to rivals L.A. Galaxy a week ago. The defeat in Carson, Calif. ended a three-game winning streak in which it had outscored opponents 14-3. Its offense is led by Carlos Vela, the favorite to dethrone Josef Martinez as the league MVP, and the defense is led by Atlanta native Walker Zimmerman.
The Galaxy defeated LAFC by playing a physical style that disrupted its rhythm, particularly in its flowing dynamic midfield. It’s a blueprint borrowed from Portland, which did the same in knocking LAFC out of the U.S. Open Cup.
“When you press them and make them uncomfortable, it’s going to be difficult,” Atlanta United’s Justin Meram said. “But if you give them time, the way they move, the way they interchange, they are very, very good at moving without the ball.
“Once you are tight and not giving them space to make passes through the lines, then we are gong to give ourselves a better chance to win.”
Atlanta United enters the game playing well and confident. It’s a confidence born from being the title holders, as well as from its 5-0 thrashing of LAFC last season at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Atlanta United has won its past two by a combined 7-0 score. It was helped that Houston, which it defeated 5-0, lost Alberth Elis to a red card in the sixth minute. It was helped that D.C. United, which it defeated 2-0 with both goals coming in the final minutes, was without the injured Wayne Rooney.
But the more flowing attacking style that Atlanta United used with the switch to a familiar 3-5-2 formation has seemed to energize the players.
“I think the team has a lot of confidence to go out there and play, win, lose or draw,” Escobar said. “Getting a result is important.”
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