Scoring chances are good. Goals are better.
Atlanta United has a slight lack of scoring at Mercedes-Benz Stadium this season. The team scored 26 goals in nine games at home last season. It has scored 23 goals in 10 games in the $1.5 billion stadium this season. Perhaps magnifying the scoring issue is Atlanta United has scored more than two goals just once in their past four games Mercedes-Benz. It seems as if the offense may not be as lethal as it was last season.
It doesn’t seem to be a major concern. The squad is creating chances – 18 in Sunday’s 1-1 draw with Portland. Atlanta United is third in MLS in chances created at home (116) and sixth overall (177) this season, according to the league.
“We had a few that were close to going in,” midfielder Kevin Kratz said. “It’s not the same as being ice cold in front of the goal. Once we are in the box, this bite to score this last goal, that’s what we need.”
Atlanta United hit the post twice against the Timbers. They had several shots that were stopped right on the line. They also missed at least two point-blank chances.
“As long as you are creating chances, it’s a positive,” midfielder Jeff Larentowicz said. “If you are struggling at home and tying the game, that’s more of a tough situation.”
In each of the past two seasons, Atlanta United blitzed opponents at home. It scored 19 goals in its first four games last year, after the opening of the building late in the season. It scored 18 goals in its first five this season.
The scoring has continued, not as great a clip, and Atlanta United is 1-3-1 in its past five games at home. Two of those losses included red cards to Atlanta United players. The other was in the U.S. Open Cup when Atlanta United didn’t field its strongest lineup. It is 5-2-2 in the league at home, and 5-3-2 overall.
“Last year, it was easier because people didn’t know what to expect,” Larentowicz said. “Now, when people come in they are coming with their best game. They have a game plan. They are managing the crowd much better. That comes with watching other teams play here or playing here themselves.”
Next up will be Saturday’s game versus Orlando City, which tied Atlanta United 3-3 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium last season. Atlanta United won 2-1 in Orlando last month.
The Lions are struggling this season with seven consecutive losses. The string led to the firing of coach Jason Kreis. It has a goal difference of minus-9, whereas Atlanta United leads the league in goals (34) and is third in goal difference (plus-14).
Atlanta United could feature a strong attacking lineup should manager Gerardo Martino move Julian Gressel from the right wing to the middle in place of the injured Darlington Nagbe, and start Hector Villalba on the right with Josef Martinez as striker, Miguel Almiron as the attacking midfielder and Ezequiel Barco as the left wing.
That quartet of South American players has started just one game together this season (vs. Sporting KC) and it lasted 34 minutes because Villalba was subbed off after goalkeeper Brad Guzan received a red card.
They played well together in the final 33 minutes of the Timbers’ game. Villalba, who came on in the 57th minute and joined the others who started, was particularly dangerous, posting a team-high three shots on goal.
“Like I said, it’s a problem if we don’t create chances, and we create chances – a ton of chances, to be honest,” Gressel said. “It’s just a matter of the final pass – the final concentration – in the box where sometimes we lack a bit of that and that’s why they don’t end up being goals. It’s just a thing that we’re going to have to focus on and really be clinical again.”
CREATING CHANCES
Atlanta United is sixth in MLS in chances created:
Sporting Kansas City 232
Columbus Crew SC 191
Los Angeles Football Club 186
Real Salt Lake 185
Houston Dynamo 182
Atlanta United FC 177
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Atlanta United is third in chances at home:
Sporting Kansas City 142
Philadelphia Union 123
Atlanta United FC 116
FC Dallas 115
- According to MLS stat provider OPTA
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