The most important thing Atlanta United needs to do to try to win its second consecutive MLS match is to keep its energy and sharpness high when it hosts Orlando on Sunday at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, according to manager Gonzalo Pineda.
“The last game was amazing,” Pineda said of the team’s 4-1 win against New England. “We need very similar energy for this game.”
Sharpness includes the team moving the ball up field more quickly and frequently so that they create more scoring opportunities. The team created 17 opportunities and put on goal nine of its 21 shots.
“That’s what I mean to be more consistent in the way we play,” Pineda said.
Centerback Stian Gregersen said Atlanta United can do everything better than it did against New England.
A challenge for Atlanta United is that Orlando will be trying to do the same thing. Both teams want the ball. Both want to wear down its opponent mentally and physically.
Atlanta United is doing it slightly better this season. Orlando, one of the favorites to win the East during the preseason, has yet to win any of its three matches and is struggling to score. It is averaging 11.3 chances created per game, from which it is averaging 1.9 expected goals per game, which ranks third-best in the league, but it has scored only two goals. It’s not converting its chances.
Adding to Orlando’s problem is that it will play without midfielder Wilmer Cartagena, who received a red card last week, and could play without midfielder Cesar Araujo, who is dealing with an injured right ankle. They have combined for five chances created and seven shots.
“What I know about (Oscar) Pareja’s teams is they’re always competitive,” Pineda said. “So yeah, they will have some absences. Maybe I can rely on that. I expect again, the best Orlando, and and they will figure it out. They’re a very competitive side. ... So they’re going to compete, and we have to be up to that.”
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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 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.
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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