This article was published for Atlanta United Fan TV. View that article here.
Atlanta - All eyes were on new signing Breel Embolo. Before the match, he was interviewed by MLS and was quoted as saying, “The most important thing is to win." In that interview he also mentioned that he was aware of Atlanta’s interest before the World Cup. Breel was presented at halftime to supporters.
Does this game actually matter as we wait for another top 10 transfer fee to join the team? Yes, it’s a gravelly serious match, as all regular season matches are. Paulo Diaz receives his first MLS start tonight. Adrian Gill is starting in his third consecutive match since kicking off the Gillissance in his debut vs. Red Bulls. Tata has the backline he handpicked and intends to be the future for the club starting for the first time.
Breel Embolo with Jonathan Spector (Head of Scouting for Atlanta United)
This game was a tale of two halves. The first half was incredible if you’re an Atlanta fan, with nearly 2 xG in the first forty-five minutes. They went up with a top net goal by Jacob, who was assisted by Almiron. That assist, his forty-second for the club, set the record for all-time assists by an Atlanta player, unseating Brooks Lennon (41). Almiron had a secondary assist from a corner kick that was backheeled by Picault ten minutes later. The game seemed completely in control by Atlanta.
They came out slow and passive in the second half. They held on for the win, which should be applauded, but they conceded most of the possession to Sporting Kansas City (SKC). SKC subs made the difference, which was surprising since before this match they had sold their striker, Dejan Joveljić, to Seattle and bought out their #10, Manu García. I wasn’t expecting their bench to provide any assistance, but they did when Afrifa brought the game to a one goal difference minutes after being put on.
Atlanta struggled with yellow cards. Baez will be suspended next match after taking too long on a throw in. Brennan received a yellow for a cynical foul, which also saw him injure himself. This forced Tata’s hand to use his last subs and replace one of the players he subbed on. with a second sub. Regardless, Atlanta found a way to keep all 3 points. Almiron said post-match that they were lucky to win the game but that they fought hard for this 3rd win straight.
Lineups
Atlanta
Sporting Kansas City
Match Notes
2’ - Diaz with a great ball to find Almiron in the final third. He crosses it to No one.
4’ - Diaz with a great clearance on the goalline to stop a great chance. Gill was sloppy with a backpass. That turnover set up the chance.
5’ - Fafa plays Jacob sprinting forward into space. Jacob plays it off to Miranchuk. Ball gets stuck under his feet, and it’s a poor shot.
13’ - Sanchez plays Almiron into space. Miggy with a great cross to Jacob. Jacob puts it top net. Fantastic assist. That gives Miggy 42 assists for Atlanta. He breaks Brooks Lennons previous club record.
19’ - Miggy sprints ⅔ of the field. No runners with him. His shot is easily saved.
20’ Jacob beat defending a counter attack by Calvin Harris. Harris sends it over the crossbar.
23’ Jake Davis heads a cross into at own goal. Hits the crossbar. He’s fortunate it goes out of play for a corner.
24’ - Almiron from a corner kick. Fafa taps it in. It’s a lucky touch but luck is on our side today.
28’ - Almiron with a good volley off the crossbar. SKC keeper Cleveland gets a finger on it keeping it out of goal.
31’ - Miranchuk with a good switch cross to Baez, just a bit too much on it and it goes out for a goal kick.
32’ - Fafa slips and loses the ball. Almiron presses strong. Waves his hand encouraging Miranchuk to press too. He does not and possession is lost.
43’ - Jake Davis with an awkward collision with Muyumba. His knee ran into Muyumba, and he pulled Tristan on top of him, smashing his head in the process. He’s subbed for Justin Reynolds.
5’ of stoppage. Atlanta slowly kills time. Halftime, good guys winning 2-0.
52’ - Lots of slow possession. SKC not pressing.
54’ - First real pressure from SKC, Hoyos slowly rolls the ball halfway up the field to Miranchuk, who is dispossessed. Miranchuk concedes a foul right outside the box. Good set piece opportunity for SKC.
57’ - First real attack for Atlanta this half. Gill forward to Sanchez, who gets it wide to Baez. Ball back to Sanchez gets caught under his feet and the ball is played in front of Fafa. Eventually sent back to reset.
60’ - Gill gets tangled up with Capemba. Cries for dogso (denial of an obvious goal scoring opportuinity). Not enough there. Looks like the attacker goes through Gill as much as Gill takes down the attacker.
62’ - Numerous subs. Brennan on for Gill. Reilly on for Picualt. For SKC Afrifa on for Calheira and Reid on for Karic.
66’ - Taylor Twellman (did you know he was calling this game?) singing the praises of Luke Brennan. He said that Valentino told him that Luke was a known quality, providing stability on the left side, and he was a big part of the postseason run while he was managing the team.
69’ - Afrifa, substituted on a few minutes ago, with a side netting goal. Hoyos will wish he could get that back. It was a good finish, but a cross body shot like that should be stopped.
72’ - Brennan giving up a foul in a dangerous spot for SKC. Yellow card for Brennan.
73’ - Gregersen on for Diaz. Diaz has played well. Brennan appears to be hurt, holding his knee. Set piece is cleared by Muyumba over the goal. Corner kick.
74’ - Muyumba clears the corner at the near post. Another corner.
75’ - Corner cleared by Jacob. Atlanta has not had possession for a good bit now.
76’ - Yellow card to Baez for taking too long on a throw in. Next season this will end up in the other team getting the throw and not a yellow. Baez will be suspended for yellow card accumulation next match.
77’ - Brennan off for Edwards. Sanchez off for Alzate. Rough few minutes for Luke.
79’ - Almiron breaks away, but the play is smothered by SKC when Edwards gives up on his run.
85’ - Miggy taken down in the box. This should be a penalty. Mosquera wasn’t even looking to the ball, he just ran into Almiron. Referee Tori Penso has not given a penalty in 20 games.
87’ - Last subs for SKC Bartlett on for Capita.
90’ - Miranchuk into space. Basically stops running and passes back to Baez to carry it for him. They are playing like this is their 3rd game in 8 days.
5’ of stoppage time.
90+1’ - Corner kick for SKC. Headed just over the crossbar. It's the best chance they have had to tie the game. Jacob is beat on the set piece.
95’ - Full time. 3 wins in a row for Atlanta United.