Atlanta United manager Gerardo Martino may not know his first-year team as well as some of other longer-tenured managers of more-established teams in MLS, but he’s learning quickly.
Two of the team’s past three goals have come from subs, including Tyrone Mears’ tying goal in the 91st minute of Saturday’s 2-2 draw at Philadelphia.
“We always ask of the subs, is they are put on the field to do their best, to do what we are asking them to do,” Martino said. “Sometimes it works out for us.”
With the team facing a stretch of six home games in 17 days that starts Sept. 10 against Dallas at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, and fatigue among the core of the starting 11 players a certainty, Martino’s selection of personnel and subs will prove decide the team’s chances of making the playoffs.
“For these next six games, every single person needs to be ready,” fullback Greg Garza said. “Every guy that has their shirt called, they need to be training as hard as possible and be ready for their name is called.”
The Five Stripes haven’t had the most goals scored by subs in the MLS. Toronto FC leads the league with eight goals, while Orlando City is second with seven. Atlanta United is one of several teams tied for fifth most with five.
Jacob Peterson leads Atlanta United with two goals as a sub. His strike, also in the 91st minute, secured a 1-1 tie at Sporting KC on Aug. 6. He also scored off the bench in the 6-1 rout at Minnesota United on March 12.
The others were scored by Brandon Vazquez, who notched the third in a 3-1 win against Real Salt Lake on April 22, and Josef Martinez, who notched the third in a 3-1 win over Columbus on June 17 at Bobby Dodd Stadium.
Next to Peterson’s goal at Sporting KC, none were as important as Mears’. What made the goal that much more interesting is that few would have predicted that the fullback would be put into the game by Martino. Managers get to use no more than three subs. They are valuable.
Atlanta United was trailing 2-1. Martino obviously needed a goal. Unlike Vazquez, Peterson and Martinez, who are offensive players, Mears is a fullback. He had scored one goal previously in his MLS career.
“I always have to be ready,” Mears said. “It has been tough being on the bench, but I got the call to come on tonight. The coach told me to go forward and that is what I tried to do.”
Jeff Larentowicz, who has 347 regular-season appearances, including 18 as a sub, said he thinks there is more pressure on players who are subs compared with what the starters may experience. They are expected to make a difference, as Mears did, if their team is trying to rally. Or they are expected to a hold a lead if their team is ahead.
“You don’t want to be caught making a mistake,” he said. “It can be stressful. But our guys are doing a great job. When you have seven games in 20 days, you are going to need everyone.”
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