Atlanta took on Chicago on Sunday and I don’t really think there’s much to say.
First off, they lost, and for some spells in the game, the same problems that have been plaguing Atlanta all season resurfaced. Any hope that the FC Dallas win would kick start the team and have them playing quality soccer again were just hope. However, in my opinion the team looked okay. In some of the losses this season the team has looked lifeless and like they don’t care at all. And they look like that the whole game as the other team effortlessly dribbles around and scores goals. On Sunday I saw a little bit of a difference.
For the first time in a while you could argue that a couple chances here and there and Atlanta actually could’ve gotten something from the game. The two biggest problems today were defense, which has continued to be a problem all season, and not being clinical enough. For how this team has been playing, not being clinical enough is a good problem to have. This means the team was actually creating chances. Were there a good amount of chances that were way off target that arguably should’ve easily been scored? Yes. But at least the chances were being created and the team looked like they cared.
Now, the team lost 2-0 against a Chicago Fire side that just like them have underperformed this season. However, that’s not what I’m going to focus on. Yes, the team lost. Yes, they had some of the same problems. Yet, there’s one thing that isn’t being talked about to the extent I think it should be. Injuries and absences.
Atlanta United have been very unlucky with injuries so far this season. Star striker Josef Martinez has been on the treatment table all season and pandemic long. He is the key player for this team. His influence on the team cannot be overstated. That however, has been something that has been known for a while now. Against the Chicago Fire, Atlanta United had so many injuries they only had 8 players on the bench instead of the allowed 9. Designated Player Ezequiel Barco was injured, and with new DP signing Marcelino Moreno not yet cleared to play, Atlanta played without a DP in the squad for the third game in a row. Starting center back Miles Robinson was injured, and add onto that new summer acquisitions Jurgen Damm, Erick “Cubo” Torres and Matheus Rossetto and you start to see a really big problem. Yet no one is talking about it.
This team played with the bare bones of their squad on Sunday and still arguably could’ve come away with something. And let’s not forget, they did this and came away with a win against Dallas. This team is improving with basically none of their top stars on the field. I mean think about it. If Atlanta had Josef, Barco, Moreno and Robinson all in contention for the game, you would be pretty positive they would’ve done better. This run of form isn’t necessarily all the coach’s or the team’s fault. Some of it comes down to being a little unlucky with injuries.
Due to the success this team has endured since it begun in 2017, the team and players are put under massive pressure no matter the situation. The team made it to the Eastern Conference Finals last year, but people weren’t impressed that they didn’t go any farther. The team has TONS of injuries this year, yet people are mad they aren’t performing. From what I’ve learned, the team could be a bunch of 7-year-old kids that have never played soccer in their lives, but if they pull on that Atlanta United jersey they will be expected to lift at least one trophy and nothing else will suffice. This is a great attitude to have as a club and a fanbase, but at times you may have to realize the team is going through a rough patch. Right now is one of those rough patches for Atlanta. And don’t get me wrong. If everything goes right for Atlanta with players coming back from injuries and new signings, the team could be MLS Cup contenders. However, there is still a very long way to go to make that happen.
Yes, the team hasn’t played great. Yes, I’m probably being too nice on a team that has only won once in the last six games. Yes, this team probably deserves some level of criticism, but the amount their receiving with the difficulties their facing is ridiculous. It’s a fact that Josef Martinez was the most valuable player in all of MLS in 2018. That is missed. It’s a fact that Atlanta only had 8 players on the bench against Chicago instead of the allowed 9. That’s a tough start from the beginning before the team has even kicked a ball. It’s a fact that there’s an interim manager and the team is searching for a replacement.
This is a rebuilding period. Atlanta United fans have never had to go through one, so they don’t really know how to react. However, there is good news for this rebuild. It’s a very similar type of rebuild to the Golden State Warriors rebuild, where star players got injured and then came back to an even stronger team. Josef is injured. The team he’ll end up playing with are improving. They seem to be getting a little better game by game. Once he comes back, and quite possibly is playing alongside the other two DPs, with the possibility of a new coach, this team could get really good really fast.
So, don’t put pressure on Atlanta United players because of the badge. Sit back and really reflect on the situation. Is the criticism they’re receiving really a fair representation of their performance? And then from there, decide if you want to criticize the players, or maybe, have a little bit of hope for what this squad can become in a small amount of time.