Atlanta United manager Gonzalo Pineda said Friday he is considering changing his team’s formation for Sunday’s MLS match against Philadelphia at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
He said he and his staff are considering switching from its customary 4-2-3-1 to something else in an attempt to help the team be better on defense. It has allowed 35 goals, tied for the most in the league. Many of the goals are the results of individual errors, including the four allowed in Saturday’s loss at the Red Bulls.
“Whether it’s changing formation, changing personnel, doing a little bit different there on the back line, how we can give better tools to the team in general to be better defensively more solid, right?” he said. “So that’s our job. That’s where we’ve been working this week, and I hope to see a better response this time.”
If a switch is to be made, there aren’t many options if the back line is to be affected.
The most obvious option, and one Pineda used last season, is to switch from two centerbacks to three. The problem is the team has only three healthy centerbacks: JuanJo Purata, Luis Abram and Noah Cobb. Miles Robinson is with the U.S. team competing in the Gold Cup. Andrew Gutman has played as a third centerback instead of as a fullback.
The team has the personnel to play a 3-4-2-1 or a 3-5-2.
“We’ve been training different things, and I think we’ll make a decision tomorrow afternoon,” he said.
Pineda said everyone is frustrated by the mistakes that are consistently being punished. Atlanta United’s expected goals allowed is 24.7, more than 10 less than has been scored against it, illustrating that when the team isn’t helping opponents it’s also a bit unlucky.
“After you pass that period (of frustration), you have to reflect, you have to analyze you have to go into the solutions because you cannot be a coach that only complains about the mistakes,” he said. “What are you doing to fix it?”
Pineda said another key is to continue to improve its preferred playing style. He said the team can’t try to play the same as the Red Bulls or Philadelphia because they’ve been perfecting their systems for years. Atlanta United must be better with the ball and by winning duels, which is its style.
“I think the response this week has been very good, much, much better,” he said. “So I hope to see a much better game.”
For more content about Atlanta United
Follow me on Twitter @DougRobersonAJC
On Facebook at Atlanta United News Now
On Instagram at DouglasDavidRoberson
Atlanta United coverage on The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Southern Fried Soccer podcast can be found
Apple - https://apple.co/3ISD6Ve
Spotify - https://spoti.fi/3L8TN0C
Google podcasts - https://bit.ly/32KlZW3
If you are listening to us for the first time, please follow us on Apple, Spotify or wherever you get your podcast ... and if you like what you hear, please give us a good rating so we can grow the show. If you have questions about the MLS team, you can email Doug Roberson at droberson@ajc.com, DM him on Twitter @dougrobersonajc or call 404-526-2527.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution has a special offer for Atlanta United supporters and listeners to this podcast. If you subscribe today, you will not only get unlimited digital access to the AJC and the Sunday paper for $2.30 a week but we are also throwing in a special limited-edition Atlanta United and Atlanta Journal-Constitution scarf. So sign up now at subscribe.ajc.com/utdscarf.
Atlanta United’s 2023 MLS schedule
Feb. 25 Atlanta United 2, San Jose Earthquakes 1
March 4 Atlanta United 1, Toronto FC 1
March 11 Atlanta United 3, Charlotte FC 0
March 18 Atlanta United 5, Portland 1
March 25 Columbus 6, Atlanta United 1
April 1 Atlanta United 1, New York Red Bulls 0
April 8 Atlanta United 1, New York City FC 1
April 15 Atlanta United 2, Toronto FC 2
April 23 Atlanta United 2, Chicago 1
April 29 Nashville SC 3, Atlanta United 1
May 6 Inter Miami CF 2, Atlanta United 1
May 13 Charlotte 3, Atlanta United 1
May 17 Atlanta United 4, Colorado 0
May 20 Atlanta United 3, Chicago 3
May 27 Atlanta United 1, Orlando 1
May 31 Atlanta United 3, New England 3
June 7 Atlanta United 0, LAFC 0
June 10 Atlanta United 3, D.C. United 1
June 21 Atlanta United 2, New York City 2
June 24 New York Red Bulls 4, Atlanta United 0
July 2 vs. Philadelphia Union, 4 p.m., Fox
July 8 at CF Montreal, 7:30 p.m.
July 12 at New England Revolution, 7:30 p.m.
July 15 vs. Orlando City SC, 7:30 p.m., FS1
July 25 at Miami in Leagues Cup, 7:30 p.m.
July 29 vs. Cruz Azul in Leagues Cup, 8 p.m.
Aug. 20 at Seattle Sounders, 10:30 p.m.
Aug. 26 vs. Nashville SC, 7:30 p.m.
Aug. 30 vs. FC Cincinnati, 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 2 at FC Dallas, 8:30 p.m.
Sept. 16 vs. Inter Miami CF, 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 20 at D.C. United, 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 23 vs. CF Montreal, 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 4 at Philadelphia Union, 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 7 vs. Columbus Crew, 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 21 at FC Cincinnati, TBA
About the Author