Though missing its manager and almost half its roster, Atlanta United held its training session for the MLS season Tuesday at its training ground in Marietta.
Goalkeeper Brad Guzan, one of the team’s captains last season, said being familiar with Gonzalo Pineda after his arrival during the middle of the 2021 season should make this a more efficient training camp. Pineda couldn’t be there Tuesday because he is in the health and safety protocols. The session was led by assistant Rob Valentino.
Still, there was a purpose to Tuesday.
“Right now, it’s making sure that we set a standard for ourselves that we know is acceptable in terms of work rate, in terms of what we’re getting out of training,” Guzan said. “I think those are important steps to make sure that we can ultimately achieve the goals that we set out.”
Last year’s goal was to win MLS Cup. The team was beaten in the first round of the MLS playoffs by eventual champ NYCFC at Yankee Stadium.
That the team even made the playoffs is a credit to Valentino, Pineda and the players after the disastrous start under previous manager Gabriel Heinze, who was fired after 13 games and only 13 points accumulated. The team finished with 51 points and in fifth in the East.
“When you look at 2021, there wasn’t enough consistency, there wasn’t enough of a demand from all of us, in terms of the group, in terms of the coaches,” Guzan said. “It’s obviously difficult to have that midseason when you bring in a new manager because he’s trying to hit the ground running in a very short amount of time. I think with a preseason, it certainly allows us that time frame to now try and really grasp the concepts of what they want us to do. But then also hold each other accountable and hold each other to a high standard and have a real understanding of what it takes.”
With the probable exception of Ezequiel Barco, who likely is leaving on loan, 10 starters will return from the team: striker Josef Martinez, midfielders Luiz Araujo, Marcelino Moreno, Franco Ibarra and Santiago Sosa, wingbacks George Bello and Brooks Lennon, centerbacks Miles Robinson and Alan Franco, and Guzan. The team also added veteran Ozzie Alonso to help it perform better in close games and add experience to a young midfield.
Additionally, if the team loans Barco, it could add attacking midfielder Thiago Almada. There also are several Homegrown signings who gained experience last season. That group includes Tyler Wolff, George Campbell, Machop Chol and Jackson Conway.
“I wouldn’t necessarily say the starting 11 (now) is the starting 11 (later),” Guzan said. “We need to make sure that whoever’s on the field, that it’s giving ourselves the best chance to win games. And, I think when you make the group better, you make obviously starting 11 better, and that part is is going to be important because last year we fell short. And we need to make sure that this year we can learn from that and look to be a better team.”
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Atlanta United’s 2022 MLS schedule
Feb. 27 vs. Sporting KC, 3 p.m., FS1
March 5 at Colorado, 6 p.m., BSSO/BSSE
March 13 vs. Charlotte, 4:30 p.m., FS1
March 19 vs. Montreal, 4 p.m., BSSO/BSSE
April 2 at D.C. United, 7:30 p.m., BSSO/BSSE
April 9 at Charlotte, 3 p.m., ESPN
April 16 vs. Cincinnati, 6 p.m., BSSO/BSSE
April 24 at Miami, 1 p.m., ESPN
April 30 at Montreal, 4 p.m., BSSO/BSSE
May 7 vs. Chicago, 6 p.m., BSSO/BSSE
May 15 vs. New England, 2 p.m., ESPN
May 21 at Nashville, 7:30 p.m. FOX
May 28 vs. Columbus Crew, 7 p.m., BSSO/BSSE
June 19 vs Miami, 4 p.m., ESPN2
June 25 at Toronto, 7:30 p.m., BSSO/BSSE
June 30 at New York Red Bulls, 8 p.m., BSSO/BSSE
July 3 at NYCFC, 5 p.m., BSSO/BSSE
July 9 vs. Austin, 7 p.m., BSSO/BSSE
July 13 vs. Real Salt Lake, 7:30 p.m., BSSO/BSSE
July 17 vs. Orlando, 3 p.m., ABC
July 24 at L.A. Galaxy, 9:30 p.m., FS1
July 30 at Chicago, 5 p.m., BSSO/BSSE
August 6 vs. Seattle, 3 p.m., ABC
August 13 at Cincinnati, 7:30 p.m. BSSO/BSSE
August 17 vs. New York Red Bulls, 7:30 p.m., BSSO/BSSE
August 21 at Columbus, 6 p.m., FS1
August 28 vs. D.C. United, 4 p.m., UNIV
August 31 at Philadelphia, 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 4 at Portland, 5:30 p.m., FOX
Sept. 10 vs. Toronto, 7:30 p.m., BSSO/BSSE
Sept. 14 at Orlando, 6 p.m., BSSO/BSSE
Sept 17 vs. Philadelphia, 3:30 p.m., UniMas
Oct. 1 at New England, 1 p.m., UniMas
Oct. 9 vs. NYCFC, TBD, BSSO/BSSE
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