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The defending MLS Cup champions enter 2019 with a new coach, but similar title expectations
Atlanta United has managed the unlikely feat of building a power and eventual champion in just two seasons and will now seek to produce an even more impressive reminder.
The head coach of the team, Gerardo "Tata" Martino, and the playmaker, Miguel Almiron, have disappeared. Atlanta United still has the firepower needed to win another championship at the Mercedes-Benz stadium.
Frank De Boer has arrived to take things in hand and the Dutch manager will seek to score on his own the style of the team, which should put more emphasis on possession of the ball while retaining elements from the air attack that won the title of the championship in 2018.
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With the arrival of Gonzalo "Pity" Martinez, Atlanta United has the firepower necessary not only to play a new round in the playoffs, but also to become the first team of the MLS to win the Champions League Concacaf.
How did Atlanta United perform in 2018?
2018 finishes: Second of the Eastern Conference (21-7-6), won the title of the MLS Cup.
Atlanta United tied the previous MLS points record of the season with 69, but finished second behind the New York Red Bulls (71) in the race for Supporters' Shield. Martino 's tactical adjustments allowed Atlanta to strengthen its defense, helping to give the Five Bands the balance needed to play in the Eastern Conference playoffs. They completed their strong post-season streak with a win over the Portland Timbers in the MLS Cup final.
Main losses of Atlanta United
Miguel Almiron A record transfer to Newcastle United was not a surprise, the departure of the Paraguayan playmaker seemingly acquired for some time. During his two-year stint in Atlanta, Almiron became one of the best MLS players and probably the most important player in Atlanta.
Greg Garza He missed part of the 2018 season due to an injury, but he was back in training for the Atlanta United playoff race, showing his left-back and D & # 39; s quality Left rear. His departure for FC Cincinnati paves the way for defender George Bello, a young product from the academy.
Five Stripes bid farewell to veteran defenseman Chris McCann, as good as Sal Zizzo and Andrew Wheeler-Omiunu. Goalkeeper Mitch Hildebrandt nor was it brought back.
A big potential loss is emerging in the form of a midfielder Darlington Nagbe, who reportedly lobbied for an exchange with Columbus Crew to reunite his former college and professional coach, Caleb Porter. If Atlanta negotiates with Nagbe, it will leave a big void in the Five Stripes midfielder.
Major off-season additions to Atlanta United
How to compensate for the departure of the most dangerous playmaker in the MLS? You bring the newly crowned South American player of the year. "Pity" Martinez This is not exactly the same kind of player as Almiron, but its quality in attack could make it just as dangerous in MLS. More a left winger than the central playmaker, Martinez has the versatility to play any role in the midfield offensive, but he seems likely to be deployed on the flank as a winger. or attacker.
Brek Shea & # 39; s his arrival has made him a little frown, but he joins the champions at a great price and has the versatility to play anywhere on the left. The former winger of the US national team will have the opportunity to revive his career and play in the most talented training of the MLS in which he participated.
Florentin Pogba, Paul Pogba's brother, Manchester United star, winner of the World Cup, joins the team to give more depth to the defense of Atlanta United. He is a center left-back defender who can play in the left-back if necessary, although the team's rich defensive options keep him in the middle.
Teenage winger Dion Pereira joined the Five Stripes from England while Draft MLS Draft 2019 Anderson Asiedu and Amir Bashti are in the camp looking for one of the last positions in the lineup.
Complete list of Atlanta United players in 2019
Goalkeepers: Brad Guzan, Alec Cann and Brendan Moore
defenders Mikey Ambrose, George Bello, Franco Escobar, Leandro Gonzalez Pirez, Jose Hernandez, Michael Parkhurst, Florentine Pogba, Miles Robinson, Brek Shea
Midfielders: Ezequiel Barco, Andrew Carleton, Chris Goslin, Julian Gressel, Kevin Kratz, Jeff Larentowicz, Gonzalo "Pity" Martinez, Darlington Nagbe, Eric Remedi
Before: Jon Gallagher, Kunga Lagos, Josef Martinez, Brandon Vasquez, Hector Villalba, Gordon Wild, Romario Williams, Patrick Okonkwo and Dion Pereira.
Atlanta United, the starting selection
De Boer has a multitude of options, both in terms of the tactical systems he can deploy and the personnel he can call on. It has the players to operate either in a system with three central defenders, or in a traditional four-player defense. The early signs suggest that he could rely on the 5-4-1 system that we have seen since the Five Stripes in 2018, with Julian Gressel and Brek Shea as side defenders and the veteran defensive trio Central Parkhurst, Gonzalez Pirez and Larentowicz keep things in the center.
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Franco Escobar is currently injured, but upon his return, he will fight for a place in the formation. His return could allow Gressel to play a role in the center of the field, especially if Nagbe were to leave Atlanta. Larentowicz is also able to move to a defensive midfield position, which could allow Miles Robinson to break through as a starter.
In the attack, the big question is whether Ezequiel Barco is ready to show the quality expected by Atlanta United when he made it a multi-million dollar acquisition. He had a disappointing 2018 year, but he may well be Almiron's most natural substitute in a central playmaker role. If he continues to struggle, then Hector Villalba is a good bet to regain a starting role.
Atlanta United Nationwide TV Coverage
- D.C. United vs. Atlanta United – Sunday March 3rd at 6pm. AND on ESPN
- Atlanta United vs. FC Cincinnati – Sunday, March 10 at 5pm. AND on ESPN
- Atlanta United vs. FC Dallas – Saturday April 20th at 4pm ET on ESPN
- Sporting Kansas City vs. Atlanta United – Sunday May 5th at 9pm. AND on FS1
- Atlanta United vs. Orlando City – Sunday May 12 at 2:30 pm ET on FOX
- New York Red Bulls vs Atlanta United – Sunday, May 19 at 5 pm ET on FS1
- Real Salt Lake vs. Atlanta United – Friday, May 24 at 9 pm ET on UniMas
- Atlanta United vs. Chicago Fire – Saturday, June 1st at 6pm ET on UniMas
- Atlanta United vs. Red Bulls New York – Sunday July 7th at 2pm. AND on FOX
- Seattle Sounders vs. Atlanta United – Sunday, July 14 at 4 pm ET on ESPN
- Atlanta United vs. D.C. United – Sunday, July 21st at 4 pm ET on ESPN
- Los Angeles FC vs Atlanta United – Sunday, July 27 at 8pm. AND on ESPN
- Atlanta United vs. LA Galaxy – Saturday August 3rd at 5pm ET on FOX
- Atlanta United vs. New York City FC – Sunday August 11 at 4pm. AND on ESPN
- Portland Timbers vs. Atlanta United – Sunday August 18th at 10pm ET on FS1
- Orlando City vs Atlanta United – Friday, August 23 at 8 pm ET on ESPN
- Atlanta United earthquakes against San Jose – Saturday, September 21 at 15:30 ET on Univision
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