Starting together as a group for the first time in an MLS game, Atlanta United's six defenders thought they performed well in Wednesday's 1-1 draw at New England in Gillette Stadium.
Because of an yellow card accumulation suspension to centerback Leandro Gonzalez Pirez and a red card given to left fullback Greg Garza in the previous game, Atlanta United’s back six was composed of Mikey Ambrose at left wingback, Chris McCann, Michael Parkhurst and Franco Escobar at centerback, Julian Gressel at right wingback and Jeff Larentowicz shielding them as the defensive midfielder.
Escobar (chest) and McCann (hamstring) were returning from injuries that prevented them from playing in the past few games. Garza is going to miss the next 4-6 months after undergoing shoulder surgery.
The group limited the Revs to nine shots, six on target, none as dangerous as some of Atlanta United's chances. New England's only threat on goal came on the penalty call in the 88th minute.
“I thought overall it was good,” Parkhurst said. “They've got a dynamic attack up top and I thought we neutralized them well.”
Not only was the group forced to try to stop Teal Bunbury, who scored the penalty kick, and his teammates, the defenders were also tasked with trying to start Atlanta United’s offense while playing under the Revs’ constant and energetic press. McCann and Escobar had a few nervy moments dribbling into the press, but New England was unable to take advantage.
Ambrose and Gressel were involved in the offense several times. Gressel earned an assist on Josef Martinez's goal. In the second half, Gressel played a pass across the face of the goal to Ambrose that should have resulted in a penalty kick after he was knocked down in the box by a Revs defender as he went to tap the ball into the goal. McCann and Escobar also got down field and became involved in the offense at different points in the second half.
With Garza out for maybe the rest of the year, Ambrose may get even more chances to play. Miles Robinson is also pushing McCann and Escobar for a starting spot.
“Everybody understands the system,” Larentowicz said. “The goal is to have a team that whenever someone goes down, the next guy’s ready to step in. I thought Mikey did really, really well tonight. I thought Chris obviously did his job well, he’s very comfortable in that spot, and then Franco coming back from a couple different injuries to help the team and do his thing back there. I think that everybody’s ready, the team is building and tonight, although it was a draw, I think it’s a game we can hold your head up and move on to the next one.”
About the Author
