Atlanta United (9-3-3) faces another one of its toughest tests of the season this week as they travel Ohio to take on the Columbus Crew (7-6-3) in a matchup of two of the top teams in the Eastern Conference. Five Stripe fans may know the headliners for the Crew, with Federico Higuain the main creator for red-hot striker Gyasi Zardes just one key combination for the opposing side. But here are some of the other players Atlanta United will have to stop in order to keep their hold of the top spot in the Eastern Conference:
Speed on the Wings
Columbus is at its best with the ball on the foot of Federico Higuain, their dynamic #10 in the middle of the the field. But his eyes often aren’t on goal –– he’s looking for his speedy, dynamic wing players in space to create a chance of their own. Pedro Santos is a DP caliber speedster now in his first full season in the league, who caused plenty of problems for Atlanta United in their playoff matchup last year. He’ll be on the right wing, quick on the dribble and always looking to send across one of his lethal crosses. On the other side waits MLS veteran Mike Grella. The former New York Red Bull frontman is back to full health after a long-term injury and offseason move to replace former Crew winger Justin Meram in the starting XI, and he’s growing into his role in Columbus more and more every week. Not as quick as Santos, Grella is nonetheless a powerful runner coming inside from the left wing, capable of a slick skill move to get past his defender in the box. Atlanta United defenders would do well to keep him forced toward the outside, not allowing him to cut inside on his preferred right foot.
Midfield Anchors
With Columbus’ speedy attackers focused forward, balancing out that forward threat with a defensive presence in the midfield is crucial. Columbus has one of the strongest central midfields in the league, with Brazilian Artur teaming up with U.S. international and Columbus product Wil Trapp in the center of the field. Both are strong destroyers capable of disrupting the best attacks in the league, and Artur especially is capable of pushing the ball forward in a breakaway himself. With Higuain’s eyes more forward, Atlanta United should try to limit one-on-one matchups in the midfield and may need to bring numbers into the middle to overpower the Crew’s midfield lynchpins. A fluid attack rotating players in and out of the midfield could help confuse, and at times outnumber, Columbus’ main midfield anchors and reduce their influence on the game.
Steffen in the Sticks
When Atlanta United does the hard work of breaking through the Crew’s defensive shape, their job isn’t done yet. U.S. international Zack Steffen, the reigning MLS Player of the Month, will be waiting on the other side in the Columbus goal. Steffen didn’t allow a goal for the entire month of May and has grown into one of the elite goalkeepers in American soccer. While Atlanta United’s attack isn't intimidated by any player or team, taking an extra step to make sure to aim for the corners when the chances come could go a long way. And players not on the ball should be crashing the goal when the chances occur, because stops in the Columbus goal could lead to easy, point-blank rebound shot opportunities.
Follow Along:
Wednesday’s match kicks off at 7:30 p.m. EST on FOX Sports South, FOX Sports Go, as well as our radio partners, 92.9 The Game and La Mejor Radio. Click here for a full breakdown of all the ways to follow along.
