A trip to Florida around this time of year sure does sound nice, doesn’t it?
For Atlanta United, though, it’s business first. The preseason training camp in Bradenton, Fla. came and went, hours of training, tactics and team bonding — all of that work in preparation for the club’s home opener against CF Montréal on Saturday, Feb. 22.
Back in the cold and wind, the 5-Stripes were out and about at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Training Ground. Head coach Ronny Deila, Xande Silva and Stian Gregersen addressed media Thursday afternoon:
The many purposes of the trip down to Florida
There were plenty more reasons for Atlanta United to head down to Florida than just a break from Georgia’s gloomy weather. Deila laid out why training camp was beneficial for his club on multiple levels.
Playing at the level of competition that they expect to see in the regular season is one. Atlanta United has already faced Orlando City, New England Revolution and FC Cincinnati. They’ve yet to lose to MLS opposition this preseason.
Next, one of Deila’s favorite words: Togetherness. The chemistry for the players on the pitch is important, but chemistry as a coaching staff is another dimension of the unity that Deila has been preaching in the preseason. He and his staff spent time bonding in Florida and took coaching courses together to hone their craft.
For Deila and his staff, it’s more than just knowing what drills to run. Getting better at asking questions and having conversations with their squad is important to them as instructors. They know that their improved communication will allow the players to get the most out of training, translating that to match success.
It’s why he wants the atmosphere wherever his squad goes to be a familial one, why he allotted so much time during preseason camp for the players and staff to just be social together — team dinners, karaoke, and more.
“[Normally], everything is very serious all the time,” Deila said. “You work on details, you want to improve everything. To see each other in other settings, it’s important. To understand that we are different people in different situations. It’s just a start, step-by-step to get that really fun family feeling. That we really, really understand each other and know each other and trust each other.”
You can see that chemistry build on the pitch. From game to game this preseason, passes have grown quicker, runs more decisive, attacks more threatening.
“The bond, the team, togetherness,” Silva said. “The best teams in the world, outside the pitch they do things together. They spend a lot of time together, so I think it’s good.”
Last, and maybe most obvious, it’s about getting their legs warm. Deila said his team has run over 40,000 meters in the last two weeks and called fitness a foundation for the team. He also said those distance numbers would go down this week and next to make sure his players are fresh for the season opener on February 22.
“It’s a new type of preseason,” Gregersen said. “It’s a more European style now. We work very hard and focus on our play and how we’re going to perform … It’s very hard. Long sessions and a lot of running.”
The race against time to get fit and available
All that running is doing wonders for the members of the squad who are healthy and cleared to play, but Atlanta United still has some key contributors who are working to find their way back onto the pitch.
Deila and Chief Soccer Officer and Sporting Director Chris Henderson went to work in the offseason and made some marquee signings. Still, some of the new players haven’t had as much time in training with the squad to get acclimated.
Emmanuel Latte Lath, who’s already a speedster on the pitch, is moving as quickly as possible to be cleared to play in games. He now has his visa and will be okay to play soon, but there’s not a definitive timeline for when he’ll be available to Deila for selection.
“I hope he can be a part of the game on Saturday,” Deila said. “If that goes well, and he has another week training, then he will be available for the game against Montréal.”
Miguel Almirón has shown what a difference one signing can make immediately, as he’s already played and scored in a friendly despite being signed at the tail end of January.
“He’s adding a lot, first of all quality,” Deila said. “Understanding of the game, he makes things happen. He works hard. He is ambitious. He’s positive. He loves football. He loves being back in the club. Leadership. You get everything with Miguel.”
Outside of the attacking options, the fullback room is wide open. Younger players like Dominik Chong Qui and Ronan Wynne have earned significant playing time in preseason fixtures with usual starters Pedro Amador and Brooks Lennon recovering from injuries. Deila called the position group “a little bit mishmash” heading into the Montréal game but noted that Chong Qui has shown a lot of promise and that Lennon could be returning to training next week.
Gregersen, who is now healed from an injury he suffered the playoff game against Orlando last season, is optimistic about the team’s chances this season.
“I feel better, and I think all of the group also feels better,” Gregersen said. “More fit now than we were last season.”
The final friendly and what’s ahead
The new season is right around the corner, and the celebration starts at our annual Block Party this Saturday. Meanwhile, Atlanta United will face FC Dallas in its final preseason game at noon ET on Saturday, Feb. 15. The game will be closed to the public but will be streamed live on atlutd.com/live. After that, it’ll be matchweek number one for the 5-Stripes as they prepare to play CF Montréal at Mercedes-Benz Stadium at 7:30 p.m. ET on Saturday, Feb. 22.
