Improving communication will be among the areas of improvement that Atlanta United hopes to see during Saturday’s match against New England at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in the home opener. New England is winless in its first two matches, outscored by three goals.
Atlanta United was beaten 1-0 by Columbus in its first match. It was a a rough first half for the Five Stripes. It had few answers for the Crew’s ability to pass and move, and to make off-the-ball runs through defensive lines. Columbus got a deserved reward with a goal from Cucho Hernandez.
On the goal, communication broke down between several players, from left winger Xande Silva, who didn’t press the first passer, to right fullback Brooks Lennon, who moved up the field to defend the wrong player, to left fullback Caleb Wiley, who didn’t see Hernandez’s run behind him.
Atlanta United played much better in the second half. Its offense, which had just one shot on goal in the first half, created several opportunities that would have split the points. Its defense limited the Crew to three shots in the second half after allowing 13 in the first half.
“They really know what they’re doing,” Wiley said. “They have a clear playing identity and it’s hard to stop. So just being on the same page, really communicating. We’ve had lots of film last week and I’m sure this week, to make sure that going into this weekend, we understand what we’re supposed to do. And we’re confident about it.”
It’s not surprising that the team’s communication may not have been its best. The lineup featured new starters at both centerbacks with Stian Gregersen and Derrick Williams, at defensive midfielder with Bartosz Slisz and an attacking midfielder, Thiago Almada, who hadn’t been with the team for a minute during the preseason.
Wiley said his communication with Williams, who played on the left, and with Slisz, was very good.
“I think that everyone is new in this club,” Slisz said. “And we need also the time to communicate better, but I think it’s not bad. And they are experienced players. It’s fun to play with them because I can also learn from them.”
For more content about Atlanta United
Follow me on Twitter/X @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.
Stay up to date every day on breaking news, in-depth investigations, politics, sports, entertainment, food and dining and so much more by becoming a subscriber to the AJC. Go to AJC.com/start for a very special offer and unlock hundreds of original articles published daily on the refreshed AJC.com and the new AJC mobile app. Plus, access to our news alerts, subscriber-only events, AJC original shows, films and videos, newsletters, and so much more.
Atlanta United’s 2024 schedule
Feb. 24 Columbus 1, Atlanta United 0
March 9 vs. New England, 7:30 p.m.
March 17 vs. Orlando, 7 p.m., FS1
March 23 at Toronto, 7:30 p.m.
March 31 vs. Chicago, 3:30 p.m., FOX
April 6 at NYCFC, 7:30 p.m.
April 14 vs. Philadelphia, 2:30 p.m., FOX
April 20 vs. Cincinnati, 7:30 p.m.
April 27 at Chicago, 8:30 p.m.
May 4 vs. Minnesota, 7:30 p.m.
May 11 vs. D.C. United, 7:30 p.m.
May 15 at Cincinnati, 7:30 p.m.
May 18 at Nashville, 1:30 p.m.
May 25 vs. LAFC, 7:30 p.m.
May 29 at Miami, 7:30 p.m.
June 2 vs Charlotte, 4:30 p.m., FOX
June 15 vs. Houston, 7:30 p.m.
June 19 at D.C. United, 7:30 p.m.
June 22 at St. Louis, 8:30 p.m.
June 29 vs. Toronto, 7:30 p.m.
July 3 at New England, 7:30 p.m.
July 6 at Real Salt Lake, 9:30 p.m.
July 13 at Montreal, 7:30 p.m.
July 17 vs. NYCFC, 7:30 p.m.
July 20 vs. Columbus, 7:30 p.m.
Aug. 24 at L.A. Galaxy, 10:30 p.m.
Aug. 31 at Charlotte, 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 14 vs. Nashville, 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 18 vs. Miami, 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 21 at Red Bulls, 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 28 at Philadelphia, 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 2 vs. Montreal, 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 5 vs. Red Bulls, 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 19 at Orlando, 6 p.m.
About the Author
