Atlanta United had more than enough time to celebrate the biggest win of their season after the match Sunday night. They know there's much more work to be done, and they don't have to wait long to do it. They're right back at it for a Wednesday night match.
The 5-Stripes will host Orlando City SC for a swift rematch. The raucous 17s at Mercedes-Benz Stadium will back their boys, and that's not the only thing that's different this time around. Especially after Sunday night, this Atlanta United squad looks and plays very different than the one that faced the Lions April 26.
Availability for Wednesday night
Atlanta United got a result despite missing three key players. Now against Orlando, they'll get a chance for one of them to be back in the fold. Brooks Lennon, who missed Sunday's match with a hamstring injury, is questionable.
Saba Lobjanidze has held down the right wing back spot since Lennon reaggravated the injury against Philadelphia Union May 17. There's a good chance Atlanta United's number nine stays in that spot to start the Orlando match regardless of whether Lennon is able to go.
Josh Cohen is a new addition to the availability report, and he will miss the match Wednesday night with an adductor injury.
Player | Injury | Status |
Josh Cohen | Adductor | Out |
Stian Gregersen | Quadriceps | Out |
Brooks Lennon | Hamstring | Questionable |
Tristan Muyumba | Knee | Out |
What went right Sunday night
So, how did Atlanta United earn their first three points in nine matches? In few words, plenty. In more, Atlanta United took the game to FC Cincinnati and didn't get discouraged after conceding twice. They responded with a goal both times they gave one up, as much of a mental accomplishment as it was a testament to their physicality.
A simple explanation of "they scored four goals" would also be a sufficient answer to that question. Head coach Ronny Deila was particularly pleased with how balanced the scoring effort was in terms of where their goals came from. The 5-Stripes scored twice from set pieces, once in transition and once in what Deila calls "established" play.
"We need to keep on [varying] what we're doing," Deila said after training Tuesday. "We need to keep on being direct, and we need to be killers inside the boxes."
A driving force in the win was Atlanta United's midfield. The trio of Bartosz Slisz, Jay Fortune and Alexey Miranchuk combined for 4 goal contributions on the night. Miranchuk had two assists, and Slisz and Fortune got on the scorer's sheet.
The set up was a change from the system that Deila used to begin the season, a double pivot of defensive midfielders and one attacking midfielder. Instead, Fortune played further up the pitch as a true box-to-box No. 8. His performance was sensational, connecting the defense to the attack and finding pockets of space to do damage. He earned the Golden Spike of Excellence after the match.
"There's legs, technique and creativity," Deila said. "Now also we get goals. That looks good. We haven't worked a lot with that system, and now we have more time with it."
One of the players in that trio feels the same way.
"I think it works," Slisz said. "Now my role on the pitch is the single No. 6. I think they [Miranchuk and Fortune] have more freedom in the attack. I feel good in the structure. I have to clean for them so they don't get tired too much, [so they can] put more effort in offensively."
Still, there are many ways in which Deila wanted his side to have a firmer grip on the match. Namely, he called on them to be more aggressive when defending near their own box. The 5-Stripes conceded 27 shots, the most they've given up this season. While not all of them were the best looks at goal, Deila doesn't want his players pushing their luck.
"[They] were not big chances, but when you have too many of them, something will happen," Deila said.
What needs to happen in the Orlando City rematch
Limiting shots is one of the many things the 5-Stripes will need to do better than the last time they faced Orlando City. The 5-Stripes allowed 16 shots in a 3-0 road loss last time out against the Lions, another defeat in the middle of their winless streak. The bigger shortcoming, perhaps, came on the other end of the pitch, where Atlanta United were unable to get off a single shot on target.
The match Wednesday is likely to look much, much different. For one, Atlanta United's shift to a back five has sturdied up the defense and led to better sequences going forward. Emmanuel Latte Lath, who missed the last Orlando match with a suspension for yellow card accumulation, will return. He had a couple of near great chances at goal on Sunday.
Orlando City have proven themselves one of the most potent attacking teams in MLS this season, third in the league with 28 goals scored so far. They're also a no-nonsense team in defense and clear the ball quickly and often, with 134 clearances putting them third in MLS.
"They've played together for many years with the same coach," Deila said. "They have a lot of structure in everything they do, very similar to Cincinnati. A lot of the same things we will face."
The biggest difference from last time to now very well may be the leadership. Deila went up and down the roster with praise for the players who are making a difference for the entire squad.
"I see a lot better leadership in the group now," Deila said. "[Miguel Almirón] has been outstanding to go in front, Derrick [Williams] is very important for the team, and also Brad [Guzan]. [Mateusz Klich] coming on, he's a positive leader type. Jay is growing into his role. Bartosz is talking more. I see things that are really positive for the future."
