Completing a rally a good sign for Atlanta United

Atlanta United manager Gonzalo Pineda said he was very proud of his team for rallying to defeat Miami 2-1 on Wednesday at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

It took until the 31st game, but it was the first time in 11 attempts this season that the Five Stripes won after the opponent scored the first goal. The team’s record in those situation improved to 1-7-3.

“(This) tells me again that the mentality of this team is getting stronger and stronger,” he said. “For me, the first comeback of the year, for this group of players, is massive.”

The rally, completed by goals from Luiz Araujo and Josef Martinez, and supported by excellent goalkeeping from Brad Guzan, means that Atlanta United now controls its fate in the MLS playoffs. If the team wins its final three games, it will finish in at least fourth place and will get to host a playoff game. The team moved from seventh to sixth after last night. It trails Orlando and NYCFC by one point. Those two teams each have two games remaining. Atlanta United will host Toronto on Saturday before playing its final two games on the road at the Red Bulls and at Cincinnati.

“I feel like it says a lot,” fullback George Bello said. “It shows our grit, our determination in these last few games. We are showing teams that we are still here, and we want to finish the season well. We want to make the playoffs and do well in the playoffs.”

Considering the team’s goal-scoring talent, it is odd that it had yet to complete a rally. It’s been a problem for the team in its history. It is 5-39-13 all-time when the opponent scores first.

During the first half, because of the team’s lethargic play, a rally seemed improbable. Though Miami took a lead in the 32nd minute, Atlanta United still had a noticeable lack of initiative. It created only three scoring chances in the half.

Pineda said part of that was because Miami surprisingly switched formations to a back five, which is not what Atlanta United trained to attack. That switch affected Atlanta United’s movements and angles.

During halftime, Araujo said the players discussed a need to increase the intensity and how they could attack Miami. Pineda made the decision to take off a centerback, Anton Walkes, who received a yellow card in the first half, and replace him with midfielder Marcelino Moreno. Going to a back four forced Miami to switch to a back four so that its midfield wouldn’t be at a numerical disadvantage.

Atlanta United began to increase its pressure, and the scoring opportunities soon arose. Araujo’s came on a free kick. Martinez’s came during the run of play and was assisted by Araujo. Heroics by Guzan sealed the win. The team finished with nine chances created and eight shots on goal.

“For me, this is a testament of what they are going to do at the end of the season, coming back when three months ago no one was saying a good thing about any of them, but now they are back and in a good position,” Pineda said. “I am very, very proud of them because at the end of the day, it is those guys in the locker room, and the guys that log minutes on the field are the guys who deserve the respect, so I am very happy about that.”

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Atlanta United’s 2021 MLS schedule

April 17 Atlanta United 0, Orlando 0

April 24 Atlanta United 3, Chicago 1

May 1 New England 2, Atlanta United 1

May 9 Atlanta United 1, Inter Miami 1

May 15 Atlanta United 1, Montreal 0

May 23 Atlanta United 1, Seattle 1