Atlanta United midfielder Miguel Almiron took time before training on Thursday to answer a few questions about Saturday’s game against Houston at Georgia Tech’s Bobby Dodd Stadium.
Q: Going to go ahead and get this out of the way: Do you think you need to shoot more?
A: I think I need to have more confidence to shoot. In the game against Portland there were maybe two opportunities I could have shot, but I thought I played my teammate in a better position. I can have more confidence to shoot.
Q: Why hasn’t the team been able to win more at home?
A: I don’t think it’s a concern, but we are aware of the fact that we need to play better at home. We aren’t getting the results that the team wants, but we are working hard every day to try and get there.
I think if we keep working, especially like we played at Portland, that you’ll see us get better results at home. In the game at Portland we controlled possession, especially in the first half, and you saw that Portland only had a couple of chances on goal. We were unfortunate not to be leading at that point. That’s what we want to do is control the game and control possession.
Q: Did you watch Houston on Wednesday?
A: Yes. It was a difficult game just like they all are. It’s a crazy league. All the teams are difficult. One game you might win and the next game a team loses 4-0. We can’t only focus on results. We are more worried about our performance and how we are playing. If we keep doing that the results will come.
Q: How does the lineup change when Julian (Gressel) is out wide and Tito (Hector Villalba) is up top?
A: It changes. I think there is more speed on the team. With Julian and Tito, we have a good understanding. Like I’ve said before I think there is a healthy competition among our team so guys train every day like they are going to start. They push other players for those starting positions. Whoever plays we know we have a healthy competition.
Q: Do you pass differently when it’s Kenwyne (Jones) up top as opposed to Hector up top? Do you think more about putting it into space as opposed to on his foot?
A: They are players with different characteristics. With Tito we look for the space because he’s a faster player. With Kenwyne we play more to his feet and body because he can hold it up and we can play more of a give and go. But I don’t think there’s that much of a difference. They are both really good players.
Q: Which is easier for you?
A: They are both good at doing their own thing, what the coach asks them to do, so for me there’s no preference.
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