Atlanta United Vice President Carlos Bocanegra said Wednesday the franchise is frustrated that it dropped five points from a possible six in its past two matches, both at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
But he’s not worried.
“I think we can make a few adjustments and these are correctable mistakes,” he said. “Because the other stuff, I think we’re actually doing a pretty good job in the balance between defense and offense. I think we’re on the right track.”
The heightened emotions were evident during Tuesday’s film-watching session.
Striker Giorgos Giakoumakis said that manager Gonzalo Pineda was more emotional than usual when going over the errors that resulted in a 2-1 loss at Cincinnati. That came a week after the team gave up a two-goal lead to Philadelphia and settled for a draw and one point. Atlanta United (3-3-2) will play at Chicago on Saturday.
Giakoumakis liked to see his manager “break some eggs.”
“Football is not sensitivity,” he said. “Football is tough. And mentally you have to be strong.”
Giakoumakis said the players, particularly the veterans like himself, need to take more ownership of the results. He said the players have met and discussed the recent results and play, as well. He said they need to think like champions.
“We have to start over again in Chicago, start with a win again and get back to the positive path again,” he said.
Pineda admitted that the review was more intense than those in the past. Pineda said he’s loathe to criticize the players because, as a former national team player for Mexico as well as player in MLS and LIGA MX, he knows the difficulties.
At the same time, he feels that he and his coaches have established principles of play that must be followed. Because those demands weren’t met, he felt it was time to show more energy.
“We want to have clarity in most of the actions, whether we’re attacking or defending, there’s clarity on what we are trying to do,” he said. “And then we just put those demands on the players. I think it was needed when when you lose five points out of six, you need to address a few things.”
Pineda said he’s glad the players appreciated his passion because he knows they want clarity with regard to his demands and his expectations when they are in certain situations.
“We’re addressing mostly is the decision-making, because technically they’re good, tactically, I think pretty much, they understand,” he said. “But it’s the decision-making, offensively and defensively situations, what we are addressing with them, and I think they’re getting the message.”
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Atlanta United’s 2024 schedule
Feb. 24 Columbus 1, Atlanta United 0
March 9 Atlanta United 4, New England 1
March 17 Atlanta United 2, Orlando 0
March 23 Toronto 2, Atlanta United 0
March 31 Atlanta United 3, Chicago 0
April 6 Atlanta United 1, NYCFC 1
April 14 Atlanta United 2, Philadelphia 2
April 20 Cincinnati 2, Atlanta United 1
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.
July 26 vs. D.C. United in Leagues Cup, 7:30 p.m.
Aug. 4 vs. Santos Laguna in Leagues Cup, 4 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.
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