Atlanta United will continue its 2021 MLS campaign at Seattle on Sunday. The game is scheduled to start at 4:30 p.m. and will be broadcast by Fox.
Scouting Seattle
Coach: Brian Schmetzer.
Record: 5-0-1.
Home record: 3-0-0.
Atlanta United away record: 0-2-1.
Formation: Likely a 3-4-2-1 but it will change throughout game.
Goals for/against: 13/2.
Atlanta United goals for/against: 6/4.
Expected goals per game for Seattle/opponent this season: 1.76/1.15.
Expected goals per game for Atlanta United/opponent this season: 1.20/1.62.
Key players:
Raul Ruidiaz, forward, 5 goals
Brad Smith, fullback, 3 goals, 1 assist
Fredy Montero, midfield, 2 goals
Cristian Roldan, midfielder, 1 goal, 1 assist
Joao Paulo, midfielder, 1 goal, 2 assists
Alex Roldan, 2 assists
Nouhou Tolo, centerback
Key thoughts for Atlanta United
This is going to be a tough, tough game for Atlanta United.
Seattle is beating opponents this season in a variety of ways: counterattacks, direct play and set pieces.
There may still be mental scars for some of the Five Stripes players from their last visit to the beautiful city because Ruidiaz torched the backline in a 2-1 win.
Ruidiaz has only gotten better.
What makes playing Seattle so tough is that the fullback are very much involved in the attack, providing so much width that it stretches defenses and gives Ruidiaz space to move.
Behind Ruidiaz is Cristian Roldan, a very efficient distributor of the ball.
The defense plays compact and with discipline.
Watch this highlight from the team’s win against LAFC:
If Atlanta United pushes its fullbacks into the attack, which it typically does, they must be aware of Seattle’s outlets on the break and hustle to get back.
Miles Robinson is very good at one-on-one defending and breaking counterattacks. Santiago Sosa has proven an adept tackler but must keep his head on a swivel to be aware of players making runs behind him. Marcelino Moreno must be focused on defense as well as offense.
It’s going to be a fun game.
Atlanta United is the best team in MLS at possession, so if it plays that style, it could take the life out of the game by not letting Seattle create changes.
A point on the road would be an excellent result for the Five Stripes.
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