With tired legs, Atlanta United will host yet another hot team when Philadelphia Union comes to a cracked open Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Saturday. The Five Stripes have lost their past two at home.
“We don’t like losing at home, and in front of those fans, we want to give them a good show and get the three points,” fullback Mikey Ambrose said.
The Union are unbeaten in four, including a 3-1 win over Chicago on Wednesday. Atlanta United, which leads the Supporters’ Shield standings with 26 points, also played Wednesday, and expended a lot of energy in what should have been a comfortable win, but because of a lack of finishing and curious refereeing decisions resulted in a 1-1 draw at New England.
The team’s focus Friday was rest and recovery, with most of the players not present on the fields during the beginning of the training session.
Still, Martino said the short week, plus having three more games to play in the next two weeks, won’t affect his lineup choice Saturday.
“We are going to put the best lineup that we feel is appropriate on the field,” he said. “We are going to wait until (Saturday) to decide.”
The only question mark in terms of availability is Hector Villalba, who suffered a hyperextended knee during training. He traveled but didn’t make the 18 for the game against New England. Greg Garza is the only player on the roster who can’t play because he underwent shoulder surgery. Everyone is healthy and eligible for selection, including centerback Leandro Gonzalez Pirez, who served a one-game suspension for yellow-card accumulation against the Revolution.
The team will need to be at full strength against the Union, which have won three of four while allowing just two goals.
“There’s a tendency in this league that teams go on run and win four games at a time,” Martino said. “The season is very long. There are ups and downs. You have to see who teams are playing during those stretches.”
Atlanta United is used to tough stretches. It seems many opponents are coming off a good performance before facing the Five Stripes. Opponent’s good form, interesting officiating and a lack of finishing are some of the reasons why Atlanta United has just one win its past four, but is still in first in the East. Two of those losses came at home to Sporting KC and New York Red Bulls when Atlanta United received red cards. Ambrose described the stretch as character-building and that it gives the team more motivation each week, with Martino complimenting how the team has handled itself.
“I think the way we’ve handled those games speaks well of us,” he said.
Atlanta United can take comfort in how it played in the second half against New England. The offense created at least six quality scoring chances, but Ezequiel Barco and Miguel Almiron couldn’t put away most of them. Martino said he wasn’t concerned that more goals scored, and that the inefficiency was unique to the team this season. Atlanta United is tied with Houston for most goals scored (27).
“”If we continue that same momentum going into this game, I think we will be OK,” Ambrose said.
