Atlanta United's 4-0 win over Chattanooga in its first preseason game was something like a fitness test for the MLS expansion squad.
Because of unlimited substitutions, manager Gerardo Martino was able to play almost everyone on the roster with no player competing for more than 45 minutes.
Should he choose, Martino will also have unlimited substitutions in his team's next series of games, the Carolina Challenge Cup, in Charleston, S.C. Atlanta United will open against MLS side Columbus on Saturday , followed by MLS side Seattle on Feb. 22 and Charleston, its affiliate in the USL, on Feb. 25.
“We have quite a few games coming up in the 10 next days or so,” forward Kenwyne Jones said following the victory at Finley Stadium. “So we just need to continue to work and get the base fitness until the season starts.”
It will be interesting to see if Martino will against rotate most of the squad on Saturday, or if he will begin to whittle the list of players in an attempt to prepare for the season, which will begin on March 5 against New York Red Bulls at Georgia Tech’s Bobby Dodd Stadium. Martino will speak on the media on Thursday.
Martino seemed mostly pleased with his team's energy and use of the tactics he and his staff have been installing since preseason camp started three weeks in Bradenton, Fla. Atlanta United's first goal came on a counter-attack that resulted in a Hector Villalba goal, its second goal came from build-up play after forcing a turnover that resulted in a Yamil Asad goal, its third goal came off a corner that resulted in a Josef Martinez goal and its fourth goal came off another counter-attack after forcing yet another turnover that resulted in a Andrew Carleton goal.
Atlanta United has 18 shots, six on target, while conceding six and 2 to Chattanooga.
“I think we controlled the ball pretty well, that’s the idea we have,” Martino said. “When we can go vertical to do it, when we have to hold the ball more, then to do that. The intention I think was pretty clear.”
While Martino pointed out in his postgame remarks that the offense did miss a few scoring opportunities – Jones had one in the first half and Josef Martinez, who scored the third goal, had three more chances in the second half – the defense also had some issues that will need to solved this week because the level of competition will be tougher.
Chattanooga was able to generate a few chances off its own counter-attacks following turnovers, as well as on set pieces in the first half.
“It was a good first test,” left fullback Greg Garza said. “I think we have a long way to go. We have a few weeks before the season starts, and I think that next week will be the real test for us to see what it will be like playing against some teams from the league, but today was a wonderful chance for us to show what we have in the team.”
Garza said improving communication among the back four, which included Michael Parkhurst, Leandro Pirez and Tyrone Mears in the first half, followed by Mikey Ambrose, Miles Robinson, Anton Walkes and Mark Bloom in the second half, to make Martino’s system of pressuring opponents is one of the areas of improvement.
“I think we just need to be on the same page and realize when we need to pressure and how to keep our team as compact as can be,” Garza said. “As the days go by we’ll definitely have time to work on that and sit down with Tata (Martino) and really focus on what he wants us to do. But it was a wonderful opportunity for us to show what we have in the team.”
Here’s how to read the AJC’s coverage of Atlanta United:
Web: On the Atlanta United channel on AJC.com.
Facebook: On our Facebook page at Atlanta United News Now .
Twitter: Follow Doug Roberson on twitter @DougRobersonAJC
About the Author
