Atlanta United returns to Mercedes-Benz Stadium looking to bounce back from a tough road defeat last week at New York Red Bulls. The 5-Stripes welcome Philadelphia Union on Sunday afternoon in what will be another tough test for the team. Both the Union and Red Bulls play a similar brand of soccer, based on pressing and play without much possession. Atlanta’s home record this season has been pretty good and they sit in sixth place in the Eastern Conference standings coming into the weekend. Philadelphia has been on an excellent run of form after having to deal with Concacaf Champions League earlier in the season. They are in fourth place, sitting five points ahead of Atlanta coming into the weekend. Let’s take a closer look at the Tools to the Match presented by The Home Depot against Philadelphia Union.
Be better in possession and manage emotions
Last weekend, Atlanta struggled against New York’s pressure and was pinned back in its own half for large portions of the match. With Philadelphia playing a similar style of play, but with more dangerous players in attack on paper, Atlanta needs to be better in possession and not allow easy transition moments in its own half. The backline will need to be sharp with its distribution out of the back.
Atlanta’s midfielders will have to be alert of where Philadelphia’s midfield diamond is at all times. Another key to Sunday’s match will be for Atlanta to manage their emotions and frustrations better when Philadelphia disrupts play through fouls. In the first half last week, New York cut down several attacking opportunities in midfield for Atlanta with tactical fouls. If that happens again this weekend, Atlanta needs to manage their frustrations and keep finding ways to breakdown Philadelphia’s defense.
Contain Philadelphia’s Big Three
The Union’s attack is centered around one of the best attacking trio’s in the league. Julian Carranza (10 goals), Daniel Gazdag (7 goals, 9 assists) and Mikael Uhre (6 goals) have scored 23 of the team’s 34 goals this season. No other player on the roster has more than one goal coming into this weekend. Atlanta’s backline will have their hands full with those three players on Sunday afternoon. Under head coach Jim Curtin, the Union have found their identity in the 4-4-2 diamond system. With two forwards on the pitch at all times, it will be interesting to see if Atlanta adjusts their backline shape for this match.
Regardless of how Atlanta sets up its defense, the team will need to concentrate for all 90 minutes. A lapse in concentration can lead to easy goals. The first goal in this match will be crucial. Atlanta is 6-0-3 (W-L-T) when scoring first, Philadelphia is 7-0-0 when grabbing the lead first.
Provide more and better service into the box
The 5-Stripes have one of the top strikers in MLS in Giorgos Giakoumakis. The Greek international still leads the league in goals per 90 mins at 0.97 (min. 500 minutes played) coming into this weekend. One of the focuses this week has been to provide more and better service to Giakoumakis. Thiago Almada ranks among the league’s best in passes played into the box with 139 total this season, eighth-best in MLS.
On set plays, Brooks Lennon ranks tied for third in MLS with 20 chances created off set plays. Between Lennon, Almada and Atlanta’s wingers, the team has the quality to create more scoring opportunities for their main striker. Giakoumakis has proven that he doesn’t need a lot of opportunities to find the back of the net. His shot conversion rate of 32.3% ranks second in MLS among players who have taken at least 25 shots.
Fans can tune in nationally on MLS Season Pass on the Apple TV app and on FOX on Sunday afternoon at 4:00pm ET when the action kicks off at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. To hear the action on radio, tune into Sports Radio 92.9 The Game (English) or La Mejor – AM 1600 (Spanish).
