Recap: Atlanta United qualify for CCL quarterfinals with a 4-0 win

KENNESAW, Ga. – Entering the second leg requiring a 2-0 win or more, Atlanta United doubled the minimum required result with a C.S. Herediano mollywhopping to qualify for the quarterfinals of the CONCACAF Champions League.

Things that happened in the game that was played

Well, the game started with JOOOOOOOSSSSSSSSESEEEEEEEEEFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFF

and then things calmed down for eight minutes before

GREESSSEEEELLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL

Atlanta would put two more shots on goal at the end of half-time, but after a furious start, the situation remained relatively calm. The Five Stripes took the 2-0 lead they needed to advance into the locker room.

A little insurance does no harm to anyone.

In the 63rd minute, Josef added a third.

Twenty minutes later, Leandro Gonzalez-Pirez called the game and Atlanta began booking a hotel in Monterrey.

A recapitulation thought: Same puzzle, different pieces used better.

The adjustments Frank de Boer and Atlanta United made between last Thursday and tonight immediately paid off. Brek Shea and Darlington Nagbe entered the training, Michael Parkhurst centered on the back, Miles Robinson on the right, Ezequiel Barco and Pity Martinez reversed, while Atlanta insisted higher and more energetic soon departure. The result was a complete destruction of Herediano and a team suddenly well trained and confident.

"We are going to play this tournament, we need 30 players, not just 11 guys. We need all the members of the team who are able to progress, "said manager Frank de Boer after the match. "I saw some of the game data and Eric [Remedi] and Darlington [Nagbe] were the two players who hit the ball the most tonight. That's what we want. We do not want the three central defenders of the ball to be the players who touch them the most. But I really have to applaud the whole team. All the players played well tonight. "

The five bands seemed more fluid in attack. The width that was desperately needed by Heredia was still there, allowing Shea to win a decisive pass. and Gressel will sign the second goal of the evening. Josef did things to Josef. And perhaps most importantly, the Five Stripes have never been caught off guard as they have been on many occasions last week in Costa Rica.

"Today, you've seen the style we can play. We supported a little higher with Gonzalo and Josef and we got the result. The positive things you saw were what I had seen in the training, the chemistry of the whole team. They felt that "It feels good," de Boer said.

The best news of a night full of good news for Atlanta United fans is that FdB believes the Atlanta United Death Star is not even fully operational. But it's close.

"We are in the seventh week now," de Boer said. "And we are approaching 100%."

The faster they can get there, the better. Monterrey is waiting. Whatever it is, tonight was a step in the right direction.

DSS Man of the match

Josef. Long live the king.

The Man of the Match Larentowicz – (Your unsung hero)

Ezequiel Barco has relentlessly supported all night. It also looks lively and aggressive. He caught a pair of assists. He even shot the ball twice tonight. One was way closer than the other, but still. This is perhaps Zeke's best performance in the streaks and FdB has praised the teenager.

"Incredible, I want to give him a big compliment, the most important thing is to work on the speed at which he does things, I think he missed an opportunity and sprinted for a 30 or 40 yard sprint. It's amazing, "said de Boer.

"A player in his position must be more decisive, but he is of course very young. It all starts with that kind of capacity, that kind of energy. And he gains self-confidence when he becomes stronger and then gains experience in situations where he can get goals and aids. I am very happy for him, he has a very good appearance and he can be a fantastic player for Atlanta United. "

In addition, Robinson did a phenomenal job. He is remarkably fast and this allows him to repair mistakes made by his teammates or even by himself. He showed that speed a few times tonight. When he did not clean up the damage, he worked hard. Do not expect him to leave the last three so soon.

Remedi = As well.

Shea = It looks like Tilda Swinton. As well, too.

Gressel is an ultra powerful Swiss army knife.

Almost everyone was great tonight. We need more rewards.

Quote of the night

"Everyone has a role in the team. And sometimes you can change their role or position, but you must perform well. Do not miss a position or something like that. I think the discipline and what we've done today is the foundation of how we play. We are also dominant when we do not have the ball. Today, it was much better.

– FdB

Tweet of the night

And after?

Atlanta United open the MLS season Sunday at Dc. The Five Stripes will face Monterrey in the quarter-finals next week. The date and time will be announced on Friday.

"Monterrey is a great team," said de Boer. "They are first in the Mexican league for a reason. It will be a totally different challenge for us. "

Them Five Stripes, is it hell?

They do.