Playing at 5,200 feet will be a challenge.
So will traveling 5,000 miles in a week.
So will playing a team that is on a goal-scoring binge unlike any other in MLS history.
But Atlanta United’s real challenge in playing at Colorado and then at San Jose and then at home against Real Salt Lake won’t be the elevation, travel or quality of opponent. No, the real challenge will be earning the maximum nine points, according to manager Gerardo Martino.
“That’s the challenge because we want to win the Supporters’ Shield,” he said.
Having played one less game, Atlanta United trails New York Red Bulls by one point in the race for the Shield, which is given to the MLS team that finishes the season with the most points. Finishing with the most points this season, combined with last year’s result, will put Atlanta United into next year’s CONCACAF Champions League competition.
“We understand that every game is important right now,” Atlanta United captain Michael Parkhurst said. “Three Western Conference teams that have struggled a little bit. We feel that, even with the travel, and a couple of away games, we can pick up nine points this week and that’s the goal.”
To deal with the altitude and heat that Atlanta United will face in Commerce, Colo. on Saturday, the team flew out Thursday to try and get acclimated as quickly as possible.
Martino said some of the team’s players from South America who have played in La Paz, Bolivia, which has an elevation of almost 12,000 feet and Bogota, Colombia, with an elevation of 8,660 feet, should be able to handle the thinner air.
Parkhurst said in his experience of 275 appearances in the league, the first 30 minutes of the game will be the most difficult. Players should get a second wind at that point and be able to play. The Rapids haven’t taken advantage of their elevation this season, posting a 5-6-3 record at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park.
Martino said the team has discussed the altitude with those who have played in it and it’s something that they’ve put into their plans.
Goalkeeper Brad Guzan didn’t seem concerned about the thin air of Denver, or the 10:30 p.m. (Eastern Standard) kickoff at San Jose.
“You aren’t thinking about those things once you cross the white line,” Guzan said. “We aren’t going to go there and adjust the altitude by lowering it. We have to find a way to deal with it. After 90 minutes, hopefully we will have three points and it will no longer be a topic of discussion.
“Regardless of who we are playing, they are must-win games. When you are fighting for something real, games become that much more important. For us, regardless of teams, where they are at on the table, that has no effect on us. It’s about how we approach things, about how we apply ourselves for 90 minutes.”
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