Atlanta United manager Frank de Boer, after losing yet another player to an injury in Saturday's 2-1 win against Cincinnati, said he won't jeopardize anyone's health by rushing them back Wednesday for what is the biggest game of a young season: Club America at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City in the quarterfinals of the Champions League.
“Of course, we want to have a great result in Estadio Azteca, but we aren’t going to take any risks with any injured players,” he said. “For us, the MLS Cup is normally the most important one, because it comes with a qualification for Champions League. We try to get as far as possible in CCL and we have to wait how it goes.”
The challenge will be immense:
The stadium is at almost 7,000-feet elevation (Atlanta is at 1,000), which can make breathing difficult.
Club America is one of the most successful soccer franchises in the Western Hemisphere.
Its stadium can seat more than 80,000 and there aren’t going to be many Atlanta United supporters.
The Eagles may still be smarting from Atlanta United's victory in last year's Campeones Cup at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Lastly, Atlanta United’s roster is decimated. The latest player to go down was centerback Laurence Wyke, who knocked heads with a Cincinnati player and was forced off before the half. De Boer said he hopes it’s just a knock but acknowledged it may be a concussion. The bump on Wyke’s head was noticeable in the locker room. He was making his first start after being forced to make his debut the week before when Franco Escobar was forced off with a “dead leg.” Replacing Wyke was George Campbell, an 18-year-old making his debut. Other players also likely unavailable for Wednesday are centerback Miles Robinson, who only recently resumed running after suffering a quad injury, Edgar Castillo (rib), who is training but hasn’t dealt with contact, and Escobar. And, of course, the team will be without Josef Martinez.
Of the Atlanta United players in the 18 on Saturday, just six were in the 18 of last year’s season-ending loss against Toronto.
“You know, we have to really play as a team,” de Boer said. “We did that today. Every game we have to show that. I think we have enough quality on the pitch to get a good result at Azteca. It’s going to be difficult. They have one more day rest than us. The altitude can have a big influence. We have to be really clever and not to do crazy things. Recovery starts tonight for Wednesday. It’s going to be a tough game for sure, but hopefully we can get a good result.”
Atlanta United should get a boost from two of its recent signings: Midfielder Matheus Rossetto, who came on as a sub in his debut with the team, and winger Manuel Castro, who de Boer made sure to point out as being a healthy buddy in his post-game remarks on Saturday.
It seems like a big ask to expect the two to contribute. Castro’s first training session with the club was Friday after most of the past month was spent securing his visa.
Goalkeeper Brad Guzan didn’t care about excuses Saturday.
“When you’re in a big club you talk about managing expectations, but the expectation is to win and be successful,” he said. “So, that’s all we know. That’s what we talk about wanting to be a big club and big clubs find ways when their backs are against the wall to persevere through difficult times and play good football and fight and scrap and do those types of things.
“It’s not all, ‘He’s young and all we’re going to give him X amount of time to cruise into it and what not.’ No, listen, this is the man’s game and we need guys that when they walk through the door of this locker room that they realize I’m at a big club, at a big team, and the expectation is to win and the demands are high.”
Guzan is one of a few players on Atlanta United’s roster who have played in Azteca, considered a bucket list item for a soccer player and supporter. The other is centerback Fernando Meza, who played there a few times with his former club, Necaxa.
Meza said the pitch is big, which fits Atlanta United’s playing style. He said Atlanta United will go to win, not earn a draw to bring back for the second leg on March 18.
“I’m able to compare, and I know the team that America is,” he said. “It’s a team with a lot of depth, a big squad. We have absences but every player who plays will be important for the team. I’m totally convinced that our team, even with the loss of Josef (Martinez), which obviously is important for us, we know that at least whoever plays can do well. I’m convinced that we can win, obviously, it’s going to be an entertaining game because they play well. The field at Estadio Azteca is well suited for that, so it will be a show, and when they come here, it will be the same.”
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