Wingbacks showing importance for Atlanta United

Atlanta United’s two shots on goal against D.C. United in the 2019 MLS season opener tied for the second-fewest in team history.

Both came from at least 20 yards from goal, which is a clear example of how badly Atlanta United’s offense struggled to create a decisive play in the final third of the field.

There were several reasons for the issues:

• Hector Villalba had a difficult time staying on his feet;
• Ezequiel Barco had too many giveaways;
• The wingbacks, Brek Shea on the left and the left-footed Mikey Ambrose on the right, couldn't get consistently involved in the offense.

Add it together and Josef Martinez, the reigning MVP and leading goal-scorer from last season, had no service. He had two shots. Neither were on goal.

“We’re going to create more chances, that I’m convinced of,” Atlanta United manager Frank de Boer said.

Villalba started in place of Gonzalo “Pity” Martinez. His first chance to score came when Guzan played him through down the left side with a superb kick. As Villalba ran into the penalty box for a one-on-one with goalkeeper Bill Hamid, he slipped and fell.

Perhaps frustrated, when Villalba got the ball next he would sometimes try to dribble through numerous players. He was mostly unsuccessful.

As he struggled, Barco, very dynamic on Thursday against Herediano in the Champions League, created two chances, but also had at least two giveaways. He also struggled to make himself available off the ball for his teammates.

The biggest issue, though, may have been the inability of Shea and Ambrose to deliver crosses to Martinez, Barco or Villalba.

Shea had four unsuccessful crosses, a few more that were pounded into a defender, and no successful ones. He also had 10 unsuccessful passes. Ambrose also had zero successful crosses and one unsuccessful one.

A look at the 84 completed passes made by both wingbacks shows a single completed effort to a teammate in the penalty box.

De Boer said that Shea may have been too hesitant, and again referenced his height as a reason. De Boer also mentioned Shea’s height when discussing why George Bello got the start at Herediano two weeks ago. De Boer said he is confident in Shea and that Ambrose played well considering the challenges.

Ambrose was subbed off in the 59th minute for Julian Gressel. He also didn’t complete any crosses. He had one successful pass near the top of the penalty box.

“We weren’t great with the ball, we seemed to not be able to find the way to unlock their backline in terms of creating some chances,” goalkeeper Brad Guzan said. “We weren’t as sharp as we can be.”

The importance of the wingbacks in de Boer’s 3-4-3 formation of choice is clear. When they put in good crosses or passes, the offense works well as it did in the 4-0 win against Herediano. Not only did Gressel score, but he and Shea combined to make four successful passes or crosses into or near the penalty box, passes that can threaten a defense. They also had three successful crosses.

On top of the struggles at D.C. United, a look at the 3-1 loss to Herediano in Costa Rica shows another goal by Gressel, but no successful crosses from him or Bello, two key passes (both by Gressel), one of which was the only successful pass into or near the penalty box.