Atlanta United is going to have a Leandro Gonzalez Pirez-size hole in its back line Saturday that no doubt LAFC is going to try to drive through at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Gonzalez Pirez will miss the game between two of the league’s better attacking teams because he picked up two yellow cards -- the first was necessary, the second wasn’t -- in Saturday’s 1-0 win at Minnesota United.
Atlanta United has dealt with Gonzalez Pirez missing games in the past. He missed two non-consecutive games in the Five Stripes’ inaugural season because of yellow-card accumulation. But each time, manager Gerardo Martino could turn to Jeff Larentowicz, moving him from defensive midfielder to centerback, to pair with Michael Parkhurst.
Martino may not have that luxury Saturday because Larentowicz sustained an ankle injury against the Loons. He didn’t train Tuesday.
If Larentowicz, can’t go, Martino could use Chris McCann, who has experience as a centerback in a three-man backline, or as a fullback in a four-man backline, or Sal Zizzo, who is naturally a fullback but can also play centerback.
Or, Martino could gamble and start Miles Robinson. The No. 2 pick in last year’s SuperDraft has yet to play in a league game with Atlanta United.
But the 21-year-old has started each of Atlanta United 2’s games in its inaugural USL season and has impressed with his speed and athletic ability, which would be assets against LAFC’s very fast attackers.
“Miles is taking steps forward, and really that’s a big part of what we are doing here: giving him game moments and those chances to have that platform,” Atlanta United 2 coach Scott Donnelly said. “We are happy with the progress he’s showing so far.
“If he becomes an option for Tata, then credit to the kid, and that means we are doing our job.”
Getting game time for players such as Robinson is one of the reasons that Atlanta United started Atlanta United 2.
Drafted because of his athletic ability and potential, Robinson played 45 minutes with Atlanta United last season in an U.S. Open Cup game. He was pulled at halftime. That was it for his time with the first team in meaningful situations.
Even getting minutes in the USL was difficult. Before his back-to-back starts with Atlanta United 2, the only other time he was able to enjoy consistent playing time came in back-to-back starts with Charleston in May. He made three more stats and came off the bench once for a total of 472 minutes.
It’s hard to develop without a competitive forum.
But in 180 minutes with Atlanta United 2 this season, Robinson is showing why he may become an option sooner rather than later for Martino.
“Only two games in, from what I’ve seen, I’m impressed,” centerback partner A.J. Cochran said. “His defensive ability, one-on-one, I think he’s best defender on our team. He’s very, very good at that. He’s lanky, he’s fast, he’s strong. All the defensive aspects are there.”
One of the things holding Robinson back has been his passing. In Martino’s system, everyone on the field is expected to be able to split lines with passes to start attacks. It’s something Robinson said before the season that he wants to work on.
Donnelly said the work is paying off.
“For Miles, it’s about being cleaner technically and the pace with which he chooses and executes decisions,” Donnelly said. “I think, specifically, is one of the things we’ve seen him improve on is his ability to play second-line passes, passes that cut out some defensive players and find a midfielder, a wide player or an attacking player and he’s hitting those with a lot of confidence.
“So far, so good.”
Robinson surprised many during the first half against Charlotte when he went galloping up the field on an 80-yard run as the leader of a counter-attack.
Instead of winding up and shooting, which many players may have done, Robinson smartly drew the central defenders to him and then hit a pass to his right. Atlanta United 2 didn’t score on the play, but it was another sign of Robinson’s growth.
“To see that from a kid who just turned 21, from a centerback, is very impressive,” Cochran said.
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