Atlanta United manager Gonzalo Pineda seemed almost bemused when discussing his team’s shot selection in Saturday’s 2-1 season-opening win against San Jose at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Of the team’s 20 shots, 17 were taken from outside the 18-yard box. Of course, the last two taken by Thiago Almada went in, resulting in the team successfully completing the rally. But the first 15 weren’t supposed to be part of the plan.
“Collecting all the data from the preseason games, we didn’t have as many shots as we did today,” Pineda said.
Shots from outside the box are low-percentage probability. That’s why despite outshooting San Jose 20-10, the expected goals were closer, 1.9-1. San Jose took eight of its shots inside the penalty box.
That more comfortable math is why Pineda discussed in the preseason the team focusing on trying to take more shots inside the 18-yard box than it did the previous season when it led the league in shots (537) but finished tied for 11th in goals (48). With one game remaining in Week 1, Atlanta United again leads the league in shots.
The tactic worked in the preseason. The majority of the team’s goals came from inside the 18-yard box.
“We are messaging continuously that we want more shots from inside, more from the primary assist zones, more crosses across the box between the goalkeeper and centerbacks or the cut backs,” Pineda said.
But things didn’t work that way against San Jose, which limited Atlanta United’s options by setting up in a low block with either five defenders and four midfielders, or four defenders, one holding midfielder and four more midfielders, according to manager Luchi Gonzalez.
Gonzalez’s tactic resulted in Atlanta United’s shot chart making it look like it had an aversion to being in the 18-yard box. Luiz Araujo was the guiltiest party, with six of his seven shots taken from long range. His only shot taken inside the 18-yard box was his missed penalty kick in the first half. None of his shots were on target.
“I hope we can improve on that,” Pineda said. “But on the other side, we won with two shots from outside the box so it’s one of those where it’s hard to tell your players to not shoot, when they do that. But we want more quality chances that have higher probabilities to be on target. We will be working on that for sure.”
The long-range shots and the lack of off-the-ball runs were reminiscent of many performances in 2022 when the team failed to make the playoffs for the second time in three seasons. Pineda and team captain Brad Guzan disagreed when asked if Saturday looked a bit too much like 2022 Atlanta United.
“Don’t compare anything to last year because I’m telling you now it’s a new year,” he said. “It’s a new team. It’s got nothing to do with last year, OK? So stop that narrative right now.”
Pineda was more diplomatic.
“We were dictating the tempo of the game, which at sometimes needs to be faster and more proactive,” Pineda said. “But at the end of the day what I’m happy with is the mentality of the team. Two goals in end of the game is testament to the top mentality that I want. At times you can win in different ways, today we won like this. We will enjoy and reflect on the film in the next few days and try to correct ahead of the next game.”
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Atlanta United’s 2023 MLS schedule
Feb. 25 Atlanta United 2, San Jose Earthquakes 1
March 4 vs. Toronto FC, 7:30 p.m.
March 11 at Charlotte FC, noon, Fox
March 18 vs. Portland Timbers, 7:30 p.m.
March 25 at Columbus Crew, 7:30 p.m.
April 1 vs. New York Red Bulls, 7:30 p.m.
April 8 at New York City FC, 7:30 p.m.
April 15 at Toronto FC, 7:30 p.m.
April 23 vs. Chicago Fire FC, 4:30 p.m., FS1
April 29 at Nashville SC, 1:30 p.m., Fox
May 6 at Inter Miami CF, 7:30 p.m.
May 13 vs. Charlotte FC, 7:30 p.m.
May 17 vs. Colorado Rapids, 7:30 p.m.
May 20 at Chicago Fire FC, 8:30 p.m.
May 27 at Orlando City SC, 7:30 p.m.
May 31 vs. New England Revolution, 7:30 p.m., FS1
June 3 at Los Angeles FC, 10:30 p.m.
June 10 vs. D.C. United, 7:30 p.m.
June 21 vs. New York City FC, 7:30 p.m.
June 24 at New York Red Bulls, 7:30 p.m.
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
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
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