Atlanta United plans to go ‘all in’ against Columbus

Atlanta United manager Gonzalo Pineda didn’t seem worried about his team facing a possible season-ending match against Columbus on Tuesday at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

After the Crew defeated his team 2-0 in Game 1, holding them without a shot on goal, Pineda said that the team’s offense was better than the stats, and that he hopes the fans enjoy what they see on Tuesday.

“Yes, they will bring the energy, they will help us they will support us,” he said. “I want the energy to be more from the field to the fans and they just enjoy what the players are doing. So I hope tomorrow we can make them happier.”

Pineda’s confidence was interesting, if not oddly placed.

Yes, the team will have Thiago Almada, named the MLS Young Player of the Year, back after he was suspended for Game 1 after picking up two yellow cards on Decision Day against Cincinnati. Almada explained what happened in the game, saying he’s not used to receiving yellow cards and had forgotten that he had received one in the first half when he purposefully committed the second foul that earned the second yellow.

Having Almada back should help “speed up” the offense, which Pineda said was a problem in Game 1. Pineda said the team would get into positions to take advantage of Columbus’ defense but simply didn’t.

“....How he can connect with others to make them also boost their own individual performances so I think he’s going to be pivotal for for that part of the field, being creative and having more punch in the attack,” Pineda said.

Knowing they must win, Pineda said the team won’t hold back with its formation or tactics. Partially because the team didn’t have Almada for Game 1, and partially because of the Crew’s preference to attack through the middle, Pineda set up his team with three centerbacks and three midfielders to try to clog the middle. He said in Game 2 they are going to be “all in.”

“We have to give everything the best we have,” he said. “The best mental performance we have, the best individual performance, the best collective performance, defensive performance as well so we have to put the best of the best that we have on the field, regardless of the opponent, of the lineup that I choose or the formation, we have to give the best.”

Pineda said the players appear ready. He liked the energy he saw during Monday’s training session at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Atlanta United will need it - and then some - as it looks to defeat Columbus for the first time this season.

And avoid seeing the season come to an end.

“Columbus is a good team,” Almada said. “But we know that we’re playing at home. We’re going to try and do what we always do: Try to be on the ball control the game and attack. And we expect to win.”

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 our podcast listeners. If you subscribe today, you can get three months of unlimited digital access for just 99 cents. That’s all of our sports coverage, politics, breaking news, investigations, food and dining, and so much more on AJC.com. Plus, access to our ePaper and our assortment of newsletters. So, join our community by going to subscribe.ajc.com/podcasts that’s subscribe.ajc.com/podcasts so you always know what’s really going on.

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