The past two months have seen Atlanta United face some of the premier attacking talents in MLS. From newcomers Carlos Vela and Zlatan Ibrahimovic to top-tier MLS scorers in David Villa, Dom Dwyer and reigning Golden Boot winner Nemanja Nikolic, there have been plenty of challenges for the back line. But aside from a penalty kick from Villa, the Five Stripes have kept all of them off the scoresheet. Atlanta United players say they’re in a confident mood but credit their defensive game plan.
“You look at the games we’ve had, with Zlatan or with Dwyer in the last game, it’s about limiting their service, limiting their ability to score, making them do things they’re not comfortable doing,” midfielder Jeff Larentowicz told reporters this week. “It’s about sticking to the game plan and making sure everyone follows it, and that’s what’s been working.”
“We are in a good moment defensively,” added Leandro González Pirez. “We try to study the next striker and try to see how he moves or how he attacks. We work on that. But we are in a good moment and we want to keep that momentum.”
There’s no break this week, with another one of the league's greatest ever goal scorers coming to Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Bradley Wright-Phillips has been involved in more goals than anyone in MLS over the past few years, and presents just as many challenges as some of the European legends that Atlanta United has faced so far this season.
“He’s a tough player to defend,” said Kevin Kratz. We have to be aware of that, not to let him get too close to the box … It’s always better with his back to goal, being close but not so close that he can grab you and turn you around. But it’s also pushing him as far away as possible from goal, this helps prevent everything. Like we did in LA against Zlatan, it’s okay for him to have the ball at midfield but not close to the box.”
“He’s the ultimate finisher,” Larentowicz added. “He’s a guy who lives on service, lives on playing on the back shoulder and getting in behind and finishing crosses. So it’s the same thing, you limit the amount of times he can be served the ball in dangerous places and limit the amount of chances he has to score.”
Keeping Wright-Phillips’ back to goal, preventing him from getting touches in the box and limiting service in from the wings. But the team’s recent success is down to more than just game plans to lock down individual players.
“The team shape has been huge, in terms of balance,” said Darlington Nagbe. “When we attack on one side of the field, the other side is getting back to cover … The good thing that we’ve done is not letting those guys have time on the ball. Once they get on the ball, we apply pressure and don’t let them face the play.”
While the team is happy with their form that has propelled them to the top of the Eastern Conference, they know their goals are ambitious and no trophies are handed out in May. But even still, good performances against top teams early in the season can be a boost for the rest of the year.
“The goal is to stay humble and hungry, but the results and performances you can put up against a good team, that gives you confidence,” Larentowicz says. “The experience is good to be able to go to places like LA, Chicago or Orlando and get wins and then play against the best teams at home, LAFC, KC, and New York this early in the year. It gives you a taste of what it takes to beat the best and you need that down the road.”
This weekend’s match kicks off at 7:00 p.m. EST on Sunday at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Tickets to the match are still available, so make sure you've reserved yours here.
