There’s no time to stop and celebrate for Atlanta United, who have to bounce straight back from their 4-0 Concacaf Champions League win over CS Herediano to play their MLS season opener on the road just three days later. And it’s no easy match for the Five Stripes as they travel to Washington D.C. to face Wayne Rooney, Lucho Acosta, and one of their primary rivals in the Eastern Conference this year in D.C. United.
Ahead of the team’s first Eastern Conference road test, we broke down the Tools to the Match, presented by The Home Depot:
Disrupt LuchaRoo
D.C. United has talented players all over the pitch, like U.S. internationals Paul Arriola and Russell Canouse, and have one of the best goalkeepers in the league in Bill Hamid. But the catalyst for this team is still their talismanic duo Wayne Rooney and Lucho Acosta. Acosta has been one of Atlanta United’s worst enemies ever since they came into the league, with his shifty dribbling and incisive passing proving a handful in matchups past. Rooney came over from England last summer and proved he had plenty left in the tank, and his partnership with Acosta catapulted D.C. into postseason contention. Solidity in defense is important particularly on the road, and disrupting that Rooney/Acosta connection will be the key to Atlanta United’s success in the back this weekend.
Demonstrate the Depth
Before the season started, head coach Frank de Boer said the best way to cope with the added matches that come with international play is by being able to rotate players in and out without dropping the level of the squad. With a match every three days to kick off the start of the season, this could be the first time we see that in action. Players like Tito Villalba or Jeff Larentowicz who didn’t start in Concacaf play could now get the chance to step up and show they can lead the team to victory –– and they’ve shown in Atlanta already that they can do that in Major League Soccer. This is what Atlanta United has been building toward with their roster construction all along: creating a team that can compete on multiple fronts. This is the team’s first chance this year to show the benefits of that.
One Match at a Time
Coming off a massive win to keep their Concacaf Champions League dreams alive and with a tantalizing matchup with Mexican giants CF Monterrey in the next round, it would be easy for the players to look ahead to Wednesday. But the teams that are most successful competing in several competitions are the ones who can focus on the task at hand and take each game as it comes. Next Wednesday is an important match, but league results in March count just as much as ones down the stretch –– and you only have to look back at Atlanta United’s homefield advantage in last year’s postseason run to know how important regular season performance is. It’ll be important for the team to focus on the task ahead and not let their eyes turn toward their midweek matchup in Mexico.
Atlanta United’s first MLS match of 2019 will kick off at 6:00 p.m. EST on Sunday, March 3rd at Audi Field in Washington, D.C. You can watch the match at ESPN or ESPN Deportes or listen live at 92.9 The Game or via the Atlanta United App. For all details on how to tune in and support the Five Stripes, click here.
