Atlanta United has bounced back from every loss so far this season, and it’ll be crucial do it again this weekend as they host the New England Revolution at Mercedes Benz Stadium. The Revs are teetering on the bring of playoff contention, so the Five Stripes will have to keep their focus and get all three points to maintain their slim margin in the Supporters’ Shield standings.
Ahead of the crucial Eastern Conference clash, we broke down the Tools to the Match, presented by The Home Depot:
Pressure Penilla
One of the main threats for the Revolution this year is Cristian Penilla, the Ecuadorian left winger that has ten goals so far for New England in his first season with the team. He’ll be looking to find players in space in one-on-one situations and take them on with his speed and abilities on the ball, and he’s more than capable of finishing chances when they present themselves. Making sure the defenders help each other to prevent those one-on-one opportunities will be key and keeping an eye on him making runs in behind the back line will be an important task for the Five Stripes back line.
Focus on Fagundez
There’s a reason Diego Fagundez has been on the fringes of the U.S. Men’s National Team. One of the few true creative, passing #10’s in the league, Fagundez looks to float between the opposing midfield and back line, finding pockets of space and time on the ball to find that killer pass. The Revs are at their best when Fagundez has the ball on his foot and has time to pick out the forwards in front of him. Keeping a body on him to limit his time on the ball, and then keeping constant pressure on him when he has it will play a massive part in disrupting their creative spark and shutting down their offense.
Pounce Early
Every Atlanta United fan remembers the last time the Revolution came to Mercedes-Benz Stadium, an unforgettable 7-0 win in one of the team’s first matches in their permanent home. While the same record-tying score line isn’t likely, there are certainly things Atlanta United can try to replicate. Being aggressive early on offense would be the first step, because an early goal has repercussions for the entirety of the match. Taking the lead forces the Revs to come out of their defensive third and attack, leaving space in behind for the Five Stripes to exploit. It could hurt the spirit of a team with nothing left to play for this season. And most importantly, it will charge up a packed Mercedes-Benz Stadium crowd and turn it into the home fortress it has been since day one.
Follow the Match:
Kickoff is set for 3:30 p.m. EST on Saturday, with the match set to be broadcast on Univision and streamed on Twitter. You can listen to the game on the Atlanta United app or on the radio: 92.9 The Game or, for Spanish-speaking listeners, La Mejor Atlanta. Click here for a full rundown of how to follow along with the game.
