Tired but determined, Atlanta United took another step toward securing a second seed in the MLS playoffs by holding on to draw New England 0-0 on Saturday at Gillette Stadium.
Playing on a pitch scarred by football lines ahead of Sunday’s NFL game, the Five Stripes (15-8-8) moved to 53 points. As NYCFC tied Chicago 1-1 Saturday night, Atlanta United stayed within three points and can pass it with a win against Minnesota United on Tuesday at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Securing second comes with a bye in the first round of the playoffs. Atlanta United has already secured a spot in the playoffs.
"At this point in the season, every point is vital in terms of where we finish," Atlanta United goalkeeper Brad Guzan said. "We knew it was going to be hard game coming in and it surely didn't disappoint. It was hard from the first to the last minute."
Here are five observations about the game.
Change in tactics. Manager Gerardo Martino knew his team was tired. It was playing its seventh game in 20 days. So, he adjusted the tactics. The team didn't play as wide and didn't press with as much vigor as it has, particularly in the past six games in which it went 5-0-1 and outscored opponents 22-3. Martino also altered the formation from his standard 4-2-3-1 to a 4-4-2.
As a result, Atlanta United put just two shots on target and ceded 61 percent of the possession to New England. It was just the fourth time this season that Atlanta United was shut out.
“It was a good point,” Martino said. “I think we didn’t play the same way that we usually play, but we tried to save some legs a little bit tonight and play a more direct style. I think in the second half, we could’ve lost the game, but in the first half, we did have some chances.”
Change in New England. Martino said on Friday that New England is a different, more aggressive team at home than when it plays on the road.
The Revs needed to be after being demolished by Atlanta United 7-0 three weeks ago in a game in which it didn’t even attempt a shot. It was also blistered 6-1 at Orlando City on Wednesday.
New England came out and pressed the Five Stripes, keeping them on their heels for most of the game. The Revs had two good chances near the end of the game to secure the three points and improve to 12-2-2 at home, but each time Guzan was there to thwart the opportunity. He finished with four saves and claimed four crosses.
"It was difficult,” Atlanta United midfielder Jeff Larentowicz said. “I mean, this is a difficult place to come if you're fresh. They're a very good team in this building. The legs were a bit heavy. I think that they had a point to prove, but at the same time, we held on and had a shutout. It was good."
The defense. The shutout was Atlanta United's sixth in seven games and 11th this season. Its plus-31 goal difference is the second-most this season.
“When your name and number is called, you step on the field, you have to do your job, and the guys, they did it fantastic today in terms of closing it down, sliding all over the place, making blocks, getting fouls, you name it,” Guzan said. “I think we probably defended for close to 90 minutes in that game, so to come away with a clean sheet is a bonus."
More injuries. Before the game was played, the team announced that Brandon Vazquez will be out a minimum of four weeks with a hamstring injury.
Later, fullback Greg Garza, back in the starting lineup for the first time since sustaining a hamstring injury the last time Atlanta United played New England three weeks ago, left in the 26th minute with a possible injury. The team said Garza “felt something” in his left leg. He was slow to get up two times after either falling down or being knocked down.
The team said that Garza would be evaluated on Sunday when the team returns to Atlanta.
Missing pieces on Tuesday. The team will be without four key players for Tuesday's key game.
Presuming that Garza doesn’t play, the team will also be without injured midfielder Miguel Almiron, who has nine goals and 13 assists. He suffered a hamstring injury and is expected to miss at least four weeks. There is a chance he can return for the playoffs. The knockout rounds start as early as Oct. 25.
Striker Josef Martinez and Guzan will also be missing. Both are expected to be called up by their national teams for upcoming World Cup qualifying games. Martino said on Friday that Martinez will be called up by Venezuela. Guzan was called up by the U.S. on Sunday for its games against Panama on Friday in Orlando and at Trinidad and Tobago on Oct. 10. The U.S. is in fourth in the CONCACAF standings. The top three are guaranteed spots in the 2018 World Cup in Russia. The fourth-place team will advance to a playoff.
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