Atlanta United applies lessons learned in win against Toronto

Atlanta United accomplished several important things in Saturday’s 2-0 win against Toronto at BMO Field.

Of most importance, it picked up three valuable points in the race to the playoffs. With the win, it has 42 points and moved from eighth place and into fifth, moving above the seven-team playoff line. It has five games remaining, starting with hosting NYCFC on Wednesday at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

“Every away game you should try to get a result, especially in the predicament we are in now,” fullback George Bello said. “So, getting this win was big. You could tell after the game in the locker room, all the lads were happy and excited. We know that we aren’t there yet. Hopefully we can keep this momentum pushing on Wednesday and go from there.”

Second, it showed it can apply lessons learned during training to game situations. For the past two weeks, manager Gonzalo Pineda has worked the squad on creating chances, finishing those chances and managing games.

Led by Matheus Rossetto’s team-leading three, the Five Stripes created 14 chances against Toronto. The first goal, scored by Luiz Araujo, was assisted by Ezequiel Barco and Bello. The second, scored by Marcelino Moreno, was a long run that was assisted by centerback Alan Franco.

“I feel that before we can score goals we need to create the chances,” Pineda said. “In that sense, I’m very happy. I feel we had enough chances to kill the game. Obviously, we could be more clinical. I think we had a few more chances where we could score, but we didn’t.”

The goals were a combination of luck and skill.

Araujo’s goal, his second this season, was admittedly mishit. The effort, hit from just a few yards out, looped over goalkeeper Alex Bono in the second minute of additional time near the end of the first half.

A perfect way to end the half 💯

Well done, Luiz Araújo! pic.twitter.com/1uBeUduuhQ
— Atlanta United FC (@ATLUTD) October 17, 2021

“Luck was on my side,” he said. “All good players need some good luck at times but the most important thing was to help Atlanta United get this win. There have been other games where I hit the ball well and didn’t score but I’m happy that this one went in.”

Moreno’s was a brilliant long run, finished with his right foot from 18 yards into the lower left corner.

10 out of 10 🙌 pic.twitter.com/c2qR8KJVah
— Atlanta United FC (@ATLUTD) October 17, 2021

“Marcelino was massive tonight, but the togetherness, the fighting for each other, the winning duels both offensively and defensively by the whole team was fantastic,” Pineda said. “I was enjoying watching from the sideline a team that was competing for every ball, and that’s what makes us proud as coaches.”

The result stood up because Atlanta United managed the game well. The one time that the formation broke down, goalkeeper Brad Guzan was there to make a crucial reflex save in the final minutes to preserve the team’s ninth shutout. After blowing a 1-0 lead in a 2-1 loss in its previous game at Montreal, the team improved to 24-7-7 when it scores first on the road.

Bello said the team spoke at halftime about the need to play smart for the next 45 minutes. He said he feels the team is improving in its ability to manage games.

“We have such a talented group of players,” Bello said. “It’s beyond talented, it’s crazy. The talent is there, once we have that mentality and knowing that not all games are going to go perfect. You have to dig deep and get results like today. If we keep doing that, we will be fine and make the playoffs, hopefully we will.”

The team should receive a boost with the return of leading scorer Josef Martinez, who didn’t travel to Toronto. Pineda said he should rejoin training on Sunday. Martinez’s return, combined with the expected absence of Barco because of the red card he received against Toronto, should allow Pineda to change the formation from the “false nine” used on Saturday to a more traditional set up.

Atlanta United did struggle to put shots on goal for most of the first half until Araujo’s effort. Before that, the only two came from Barco and Santiago Sosa. Both were efforts of 30 yards. The team finished with eight shots in the first half, and 17 in the game. It put nine on goal.

The team won’t have much time to analyze and work on areas of improvement because of the short turnaround. NYCFC should be the toughest opponent Atlanta United has among its final games. NYCFC, which plays Red Bulls on Sunday, is in eighth place with 40 points. Atlanta United is 8-3-3 at home and improved to 3-6-6 on the road with the win against Toronto.

“It’s a massive victory,” Pineda said. “The timing of this victory, the place — it’s the first time Atlanta has won in Toronto — and the timing. We had six games left, and winning this one away was a very good statement from the team saying “hey we really want to be in the playoffs”. I need this trend for the next three games at home. I needed this confidence, this mood in the locker room after the game. It was a massive victory. I feel that the team understood how to play away. Dictating the tempo and managing key moments of the game in the second half.”

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April 17 Atlanta United 0, Orlando 0

April 24 Atlanta United 3, Chicago 1

May 1 New England 2, Atlanta United 1

May 9 Atlanta United 1, Inter Miami 1,

May 15 Atlanta United 1, Montreal 0

May 23 Atlanta United 1, Seattle 1