Atlanta United was in the suburbs of what they call “Kratz Country,” that area on the soccer pitch that if there’s a free kick to be taken and Kevin Kratz is on the field, everyone knows he is going to take it.
And it’s likely going to be on goal. The result of hours of practice.
But the suburbs aren’t downtown, so three Atlanta United players stood over the ball on Sunday against NYCFC at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Kratz, making his first start his season, Miguel Almiron, also a good free-kick taker, and Jeff Larentowicz, whose leg is used more like a bludgeon compared to Kratz’s scalpel.
Add Josef Martinez, who walked up, said something to Almiron and left.
The ball was 19 yards from goal.
Kratz studied the wall of NYCFC players 10 yards away. Almiron ran up and rolled to the ball to his right, surprising everyone. Larentowicz took a couple of steps and hit a rocket at NYCFC’s goal. A defender, either trying to block the shot, save himself or some combination, hit the ball with his arms, which were close to his chest. No handball, was the decision.
Kratz said he didn’t mind because, at that distance, it’s very difficult to hit the ball with enough pace of bend.
That may have been the only disappointment expressed regarding anything involving Kratz on Sunday. He completed all of his passes in the first half and 26 of 39 in the game. He was also solid on defense in dealing with a tough NYCFC midfield.
“I thought he was great,” captain Michael Parkhurst said. “I think he’s been really good for us all season. He’s so clean on the ball, you know what you are going to get with Kevin. He’s going to come in, going to work hard, going to connect.
“His set pieces are always something we look to take advantage of. I thought it was good performance from him in a tough game. He’s deserving of the minutes he’s getting.”
Atlanta United manager Gerardo Martino said Kratz was fantastic. He subbed him out after 69 minutes because he thought Kratz was tired. Typically used as a sub, it was the most minutes Kratz has played this season.
“I think I did a good job and hopefully I’ll get some more minutes,” he said.
Kratz said he thought he did a good job switching the ball across the field to Julian Gressel several times. He also thought he did a good job finding pockets in NYCFC’s defense. He said next time, he finds those pockets more often.
Defensively, Kratz said there were a few times he stepped into space when he needed to stay back. They didn’t hurt Atlanta United at the time, but they are mistakes he doesn’t want to repeat.
“Overall, I think I did good, but I have to keep pushing,” he said.
It’s unclear when Kratz may get another start soon. The team will play at L.A. Galaxy on Saturday. Kratz started against NYCFC partially because Hector Villalba missed the game with a slightly strained hamstring. Martino said Villalba could have played had the game been deeper in the season.
But, when he’s in, and there’s a free kick to take, if it’s in the heart of Kratz Country, there’s no doubt who will take it.
“If it’s in the right area he knows he can put it in,” Larentowicz said.
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