OUR FIRST (NAMELESS) BLOG: DC match important, but bigger test looms in Mexico

Jay Riddle and Tanner McLeod are both avid soccer fans and well-known supporters of Atlanta United. The duo, along with a couple other surprise guests will be writing a weekly (or whenever they feel like it) blog. Feel free to comment below. Thoughts on the match? Thoughts on the blog? Let us know.

By: Tanner McLeod

Welcome to my first attempt at an Atlanta United blog. We were both thrilled to be asked to contribute a regular blog to the newspaper and hope you like it. Any ideas for a name? Any ideas for future blogs? Let us know in the comments. Enjoy.

As the final seconds of Atlanta United’s 4-0 win over Herediano ticked away, many people began to think about the MLS opener against DC United on Sunday. Who would play? What would the starting XI look like? Would Frank de Boer change his tactics for his debut MLS match? The reason these questions linger on the minds of so many of the Five Stripe faithful is due to what, or rather who, awaits Atlanta United midweek.

After struggling in their first match of the season away to Herediano, the Five Stripes tore Los Florenses to pieces Thursday night at Fifth Third Bank Stadium in Kennesaw. Herediano had barely managed a touch before Josef Martinez netted his first goal of the season inside the first minute of the game. From that moment on, the result was only going to go one way. It may have ended 4-0, but it could have very easily been more had Atlanta United been more clinical in front of goal. But it was only the second match of the season and some kinks are still being worked out.

The most pleasing thing for me that I took away from the match was Frank de Boer’s willingness to change. After the horror show that was the first match, de Boer moved captain Michael Parkhurst back into the middle of defense and shifted Miles Robinson to the right. For many, including myself, this was how the team should have lined up to begin with. Parkhurst does not have the pace to play on the right side of a back three but what he does have is years of experience and an incredible ability to read the game and marshall and defend. It is due to his calming presence at the back that Leandro González Pirez is able to do all of the things that makes him great, albeit somewhat rash at times.

Further forward, Darlington Nagbe made his return to the starting XI after a transfer- and rumor-plagued preseason saw him miss training with the first team and all of the friendlies. While he may not have had his best game in the red and black of United, he is absolutely vital to the team’s success if it persists with playing a two-man midfield. He was paired with Eric Remedi and between the two of them they are the only two players who are able to cover the amount of ground required within the system de Boer wishes to employ.

The match also saw Brek Shea make his debut for Atlanta United (on his birthday no less). He played well, nearly scoring from a tight angle in the first half and adding an assist that Josef Martinez was grateful for in the second half. Shea perfectly squared the ball to the Venezuelan to tap into an empty net to make the score 3-0 and provide the goal that firmly placed United in the driver’s seat. Shea played well and instantly became a fan favorite. He showed his quality and I believe he will add a new edge to Atlanta United this season, but much firmer tests will come.

Now the question is what will Atlanta United do for their trip to Mexico next week, for what will be the toughest match in the club’s history against Mexican heavyweight Monterrey. Los Rayados rested multiple starters in their 2-0 win against Guadalajara Saturday night, confirming that their sites are fully set on that midweek clash with Atlanta. It is expected that Atlanta United will do the same for their Sunday evening matchup with DC United.

For me, I hope de Boer has learned some lessons from the first leg defeat in Heredia. If United wish to advance past Monterrey, they will need to take a page out of former manager Tata Martino’s book and look to be more pragmatic. Atlanta United can’t win the tie in Monterrey, but they most certainly can lose it if they turn in a performance away from home like the one in Costa Rica.

As much as I would love to see United play beautiful football, Monterrey will be out to teach the Champions League’s new boys a lesson about what it means to play in the competition. If United line up in the 3-4-3 with the intent to play the possession based game that Frank de Boer wants to implement, it may prove disastrous for the Five Stripes. As good as Atlanta United are, Monterrey will be a big step up from any team that they have faced before. It takes time to build a team to become good enough to go away from home and attack the best teams on the continent. Atlanta United’s goal is to be that team one day but that day is not now.

If United can keep it tight, nick an away goal, and bring things back to Mercedes-Benz Stadium, then they will put themselves in position to advance to the next round. For me personally, I can’t think of another venue I would want to play in with a massive Champions League tie on the line. See you in the Benz.

— Tanner