When to press and set pieces will be two areas of focus for Atlanta United in Wednesday’s friendly scrimmage against Philadelphia at IMG Academy.
As manager Frank de Boer said a few times last season, starting after the loss at Herediano in the Champions League when it wasn’t done correctly, he wants the players to understand the right moments to press an opponent in an attempt to win back the ball.
“Not barking but biting,” he said. “That’s what I want to see really, tomorrow.”
As for offense, de Boer said he is going to let the players go with their own creativity.
The scheduled starting 11 will deploy with three at the back. Brad Guzan will be in goal with Franco Escobar, Miles Robinson and Fernando Meza as the centerbacks. Brooks Lennon will be at right wingback with Jake Mulraney at left wingback. Mulraney said that while he is an attacking player, he did work at wingback with Hearts in Scotland. Eric Remedi and Emerson Hyndman will be the central midfielders. Hyndman didn’t participate in last week’s scrimmage against the New York Red Bulls because of a minor issue with his knee from which he has recovered. The attacking three will be Ezequiel Barco, Pity Martinez and Josef Martinez.
Of the scheduled starters, Lennon, acquired in a trade with Real Salt Lake; Meza, bought from Tijuana; and Mulraney, bought from Hearts, are new to the team.
The format will be two 45-minute halves.
De Boer said he hopes that the team can stay healthy, which was one of the good things that came out of the first friendly against the Red Bulls.
Draft pick Patrick Nielsen, a centerback, is unlikely to play. He was wearing a walking boot on his lower left leg Tuesday. De Boer said Nielsen sustained a “knock” on his shin in Atlanta. X-rays were negative. De Boer said Nielsen should be fine in a few days.
De Boer wants to focus on set pieces because last season the team scored six goals (not including penalty kicks) but allowed only three, the fewest in MLS.
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