Atlanta United’s Santiago Sosa tried to take advantage of his opportunity last week to show manager Gonzalo Pineda that he deserves to start at defensive midfielder.
Sosa played his first 90-minute shift this season in Saturday’s 2-2 draw at Toronto. Sosa’s selection was made easier because Franco Ibarra, who started the first seven games, was ineligible for selection after receiving a red card two weeks ago at NYCFC.
“I feel good,” he said. “It had been a while since I played 90 minutes. Of course it’s not the same trying to get your rhythm back.”
Sosa had three interceptions and won 50% of his duels. Sosa said he thinks he can work on his positioning. Pineda said he thought Sosa played well.
“Obviously, at times, it takes a couple of games to really get the best out of the players,” Pineda said. “But I think overall due to the expectations, I think Santi did a great job. It wasn’t an easy game for him because he was under a lot of pressure from many midfielders around that area.”
His one-game suspension served, Ibarra is eligible to play Sunday against Chicago at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Pineda will have to make a choice, which is a luxury he didn’t have last season when both players sustained different injuries that resulted in them missing games. Sosa played in 21 games, starting 15, in 2022. Ibarra played in 20 games, starting 11.
Comparing their per-90 stats this season, Sosa and Ibarra are performing similarly in most categories.
Through 585 minutes, Ibarra is averaging 5.23 tackles attempted, 2.77 tackles won, 1.08 interceptions and 2.77 clearances, according to fbref.com. Offensively, he is averaging 85.8% completed passes, 0.15 key passes and 6.0 progressive passes, which are passes that travel at least 10 yards and move the ball toward the opponent’s goal.
Through 225 minutes, Sosa is averaging 2.4 tackles attempted, 2.0 tackles won, 2.8 interceptions and 2.0 clearances. Offensively, Sosa is averaging 85.1% completed passes, 0.80 key passes and 2.8 progressive passes.
“Of course, Franco and I both want to start,” Sosa said. “I think everyone on the team wants to play. So it’s about each guy just working their hardest and training every day and showing what they can do. And then ultimately, as we all know, it’s a decision that comes down to the coach. So what I want to do is make it as hard a decision as possible.”
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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 vs. Chicago Fire FC, 4:30 p.m., FS1
April 29 at Nashville SC, 1:30 p.m., Fox
May 6 at Inter Miami CF, 7:30 p.m.
May 13 vs. Charlotte FC, 7:30 p.m.
May 17 vs. Colorado Rapids, 7:30 p.m.
May 20 at Chicago Fire FC, 8:30 p.m.
May 27 at Orlando City SC, 7:30 p.m.
May 31 vs. New England Revolution, 7:30 p.m., FS1
June 3 at Los Angeles FC, 10:30 p.m.
June 10 vs. D.C. United, 7:30 p.m.
June 21 vs. New York City FC, 7:30 p.m.
June 24 at New York Red Bulls, 7:30 p.m.
July 2 vs. Philadelphia Union, 4 p.m., Fox
July 8 at CF Montreal, 7:30 p.m.
July 12 at New England Revolution, 7:30 p.m.
July 15 vs. Orlando City SC, 7:30 p.m., FS1
Aug. 20 at Seattle Sounders, 10:30 p.m.
Aug. 26 vs. Nashville SC, 7:30 p.m.
Aug. 30 vs. FC Cincinnati, 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 2 at FC Dallas, 8:30 p.m.
Sept. 16 vs. Inter Miami CF, 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 20 at D.C. United, 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 23 vs. CF Montreal, 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 4 at Philadelphia Union, 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 7 vs. Columbus Crew, 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 21 at FC Cincinnati, TBA
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