Other than Luciano Acosta, no player has tormented Atlanta United more than New England’s Carles Gil, who has three goals and four assists in eight appearances.
Guess who is coming to Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Saturday? Gil, fresh off signing a contract extension through 2026, and the Revolution, who are unbeaten in their past six against the Five Stripes.
If Atlanta United can somehow neutralize Gil, it will increase its probability of winning its home opener.
“I will say No. 1, he has had a lot of success against a lot of teams,” Atlanta United manager Gonzalo Pineda said. “We’re one of those. He’s a fantastic player.”
Gil, formerly a teammate of Atlanta United’s Brad Guzan when both were at Aston Villa, is in his sixth season with the Revs. He already has been named MVP in 2021, twice made the league’s Best XI, three times been named to the All-Star team and already ranks second in club history in assists (63) and fourth in goals plus assists (112). Gil has one goal in two league matches this season.
Pineda and Brooks Lennon said among the keys to slowing him will be for Atlanta United to keep the ball.
“From there he can create less chances for them,” Pineda said.
Another key will be to be aware of Gil is at all time. Pineda said Atlanta United has prepared something to try to track him. The team typically uses two defensive midfielders, Tristan Muyumba and Bartosz Slisz. It’s possible one can play in front of Gil and the other behind him to try make passing angles to him more difficult.
“He’s obviously a very dangerous player for them and in the league in general,” Lennon said. “He’s a world-class player. He’s a player that likes to go kind of wherever he wants. So we need to make sure that we have eyes on him at all times.”
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Atlanta United’s 2024 schedule
Feb. 24 Columbus 1, Atlanta United 0
March 9 vs. New England, 7:30 p.m.
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.
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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