Atlanta United’s Pineda said he’s focused on improving team, not his future

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. -- His team losers of three consecutive matches following Tuesday’s 4-0 loss at Miami, and winners of just four of its past 16, Atlanta United manager Gonzalo Pineda said he wasn’t worried about his job should his team not advance in the Leagues Cup.

It must defeat Cruz Azul on Saturday at Mercedes-Benz Stadium to make it to the tournament’s next round.

“I’m not worried about anything,” he said. “I’m not worried. I’m not a guy that is scared about anything in life. I’ve faced many adversities in my life since I was a footballer. Now it’s not the case. So I’m not worried about anything. Whatever happens, will happen. What I have my focus on is in improving the team. We win Saturday and you won’t ask us that anymore so that’s the challenge for me.”

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Atlanta United is in seventh in the Eastern Conference. It has scored the third-most goals (42) in the league but allowed the second-most (39).

Three of the goals scored by Miami were helped by the “silly mistakes” that have plagued the team in league play all season.

Despite having one of the highest payrolls in the league, the team has missed the playoffs in two of the past three seasons. That’s not all on Pineda, who took over in August 2021 for the fired Gabriel Heinze and led the team into the playoffs.

Atlanta United’s front office, when it was led by Darren Eales, didn’t wait long to change managers if it felt things weren’t going well. Frank De Boer was fired after the team lost three consecutive matches in the MLS is Back Tournament in Orlando in 2020. Atlanta United was shut out in all three matches. Heinze, hired to replace de Boer, was fired after 13 matches for a variety of on-the-field and off-the field reasons in 2021.

Eales resigned in August, 2022 to join Newcastle. He was replaced by Garth Lagerwey, who worked with Pineda when he was an assistant at Seattle.

Pineda isn’t responsible for the construction of the roster, which has holes. The team is trying to make two more signings to improve the roster.

If Atlanta United doesn’t defeat Cruz Azul, its next match won’t be until August 20 when it plays at Seattle when MLS play resumes. If a move were to be made, this would likely be the window.

Goalkeeper and team captain Brad Guzan and fullback Brooks Lennon said the team is still united.

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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