Brad Guzan's first game in goal for Atlanta United FC was a beauty, and the long-time keeper had plenty to do with a 1-0 win in Orlando Friday, yet that shutout was part of a trend that began before he joined the team.
The Five Stripes turned in a clean sheet in three of their past four MLS matches – all wins -- and two blankings occurred on the road. With Orlando City SC due in for a Saturday rematch, it’s easy to like the United’s chances of stretching their streaks in what will be their final game in Bobby Dodd Stadium.
Atlanta is 6-2 at home, and Orlando ranks 20th out of 22 MLS teams with 22 goals. The City also are 2-5-2 on the road.
Some of this is probably about method and some about the mechanical parts – the players – in a machine that has won four straight league outings.
Guzan’s track record, which includes more than 50 appearances with the U.S. national team, is no less impressive than several of the saves he made Wednesday in his first game with Atlanta after joining the team once he finished the English Premier League season with Middlesbrough.
Yet even before the newcomer showed up in Atlanta, United and head coach Gerardo "Tata" Martinez were tightening up while getting to know each other.
United had just two shutouts in their first 16 MLS contests, and tying a tight back line to an offense that is tied with New York City FC for most goals in the league (40) bodes well.
“We believe in ourselves a lot more,” said right back Anton Wilkes, the 20-year-old Briton who replaced Ty Mears at the start of Atlanta’s stingy streak. “We’ve seen what quality we have . . . and [Guzan] made some unbelievable saves. He showed his quality. He’s a great leader, and was one of the loudest players on the pitch.”
Atlanta’s making noise.
At 10-7-3, their 33 points rank them fourth in the Eastern Conference, where six teams will earn playoff spots. They trail Toronto FC (40), the Chicago Fire (38), and NYCFC (37) and lead the New York Red Bulls (32) and Columbus Crew (31) with Orlando (29) just below the playoff line.
Although United is 4-5-3 on the road, four of their five shutouts have come away from Atlanta. They blanked the Fire, 4-0, on March 18 in Chicago, evened the Sounders, 0-0, in Seattle on March 31, won 2-0 over the Colorado Rapids at home on July 1, and prevailed, 2-0, in Columbus July 7 before topping Orlando last week.
“There’s times on the road where you have to be smart and not take chances, the same chances moving forward [that the team might at home],” said midfielder Jeff Larentowicz.
“I think we’re tighter on the road, and obviously . . . Brad [Guzan] had a big night, made some pretty big saves that had chances, but you expect that.”
Walkes is not looking for any special credit, although he disagrees with Larentowicz’s assertion that Atlanta is more conservative on the road. He believes the United simply know each other’s styles better now than last winter and spring.
“We were able to reflect on how we’d let in a few of the goals, and just tidy up the small things because the small things were kind of what was killing us,” he said. “Obviously, playing away is always a harder game because the crowd adds to the momentum [for the home team], but we just try to improve ourselves and stick to our style regardless of the situation.”
Atlanta’s going to remain notable for its aggressive approach, but if the expansion team is to make the MLS playoffs in its first season and even do some postseason damage, the defense is going to play a sizable role.
The United ranks seventh-best in the league, and fifth in the Eastern Conference, with just 27 goals allowed in 20 matches.
A playoff push will be a group effort.
“I thought that Ty was playing well. Anton’s playing well as well,” Larentowicz said. “It shows that the roster is doing its part; everyone that steps in does a good job.”
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