Atlanta United focusing on self-improvement this week

Atlanta United has yet to start its real preparation for its MLS playoff game at NYCFC on Nov. 21.

Instead, manager Gonzalo Pineda said the team has worked on improving themselves physically, mentally and tactically.

“Next week, we will be more specific broadly about NYCFC,” he said. “We put some thoughts in behind like how they play, and because NYCFC plays this way, we’re going to do this, but it’s not as specific as it’s going to be next week.”

Among the things the team is working on is trying to be more aggressive when pressuring the opponent. Pineda said he felt that in the first 20 minutes against Cincinnati on Sunday in the season finale the players weren’t clear how they should press. As a result, Cincinnati was creating numerical advantages on the flanks. Cincinnati’s goal came from one of those advantages.

“So we need to make sure that we are on the front foot all the time trying to press high,” he said.

When Atlanta United does have the ball, Pineda said they are working on quickening their passing, especially from side to side and forward to break lines. He said doing so will be important on NYCFC’s narrow field at Yankee Stadium.

Lastly, and this has been a point of emphasis under Pineda since he took over in August, the team has worked on finishing. The team scored 45 goals in 34 games. The team scored two or fewer goals in each of its past nine games.

“Trying to put in their mind that they are good strikers, and they’re good finishers, and they’re going to do well,” he said.

Thursday’s session was spirited, particularly the 6-on-6 drills that ended the session.

“I think we know, it’s, it’s gonna be one game, and you either go through or you’re out, and the bloods boiling, and we all want to win,” centerback George Campbell said. “If the competition is possession, you want to keep it, and we want to lift our teammates up, however we can. So I think, yeah, it’s a little bit about the playoffs, and also just personal pride and training. And I think we all want to be at our best.”

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Atlanta United’s playoff schedule

Nov. 21 at NYCFC, 3 p.m., ABC

Atlanta United’s 2021 MLS schedule

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