Atlanta’s injuries continue to pile up

Former MLS champion Atlanta United returns to Mercedes-Benz Stadium this Saturday for another tricky Major League Soccer encounter with the Los Angeles Football Club. The two teams are no strangers to each other and have always delighted the fans every time they cross paths.

Atlanta United started the season on fire, recording three wins and a draw at home; since then, they have found it difficult to pick up points both home and away. Since their last victory on the last day of March, they are now winless in eight matches, the longest winless drought in the club’s history. Coach Gonzalo Pineda has been on the hot seat for over a month and is in desperate need of a turnaround in fortunes. The team lacks balance, defensive solidity and offensive stamina, making them formidable opponents to break down any defense line.

Ranked 11th in the Eastern Conference with just 13 points in 13 matches, that turnaround should begin on Saturday and hopefully they can enjoy a turnaround in fortunes. There is a great adage that resonates: “when it rains, it pours”; Things can’t be worse for coach Pineda as his star player and World Cup winner, Thiago Almada, is the latest injury casualty on his long list. Almada is known for his vision, technical skills and ability to single-handedly change the dynamics of a game. However, Almada was seen training lightly on Thursday, so the final verdict on his availability will be announced on Friday. Joining him on the sidelines due to injury is Tyler Wolff, a promising young forward who offers speed and agility, providing Atlanta with potential offensive prowess, Noah Cobb the steel at the heart of the defense with his crunching tackles and ability expert at reading the game, and main talisman Georgios Giakoumakis, who provides some dynamic from the start with his versatility, size and strength.

Regardless of their position on the board, the Five Stripes have no shortage of individual talent. They simply haven’t hit second gear collectively yet, leaving fans and pundits to ponder what’s next. Fortunately, as they prepare to face LAFC, Atlanta United will be bolstered by the availability of Jamal Thiare, Xande Silva, Daniel Williams and Daniel Rios.

“I think we’re on the right track,” Pineda said. “I think it’s really encouraging for the team, for the mentality of the team, to win. We did it with seven locals. For me, it’s a testament to the character of the team. This penalty shootout victory on goal, Josh making the last two saves and Stian (Gregersen) making the sixth. There are a lot of positives to take from this. We have to keep that positivity and the mentality of the players who fought and put this together. SATURDAY.

On the other hand, LAFC has had a lot of success in the Western Conference, amassing 21 points in 13 games. LAFC dove into the transfer market during the offseason and acquired notable names to bolster its squad with depth and game-changers, such as AC Milan’s Olivier Giroud, Chicago Fire’s Kei Ansu Kamara and Eduard Atuesta de Palmeiras.

Depending on the margin of victory, LAFC could bounce back to second in the standings, while Atlanta United could win and move into the top ten for the first time this month. The face-off between Atlanta United and LAFC adds an extra layer of intrigue and spectacle.

Atlanta has a slightly larger advantage in headers with two wins, while LAFC has one win and one match ended in a draw. Playing in Atlanta’s favor, both wins against LAFC came at home, 5-0 in 2018 and 1-0 in 2021.

These meetings were often hotly contested, highlighting the competitive spirit and tactical battles expected of two clubs with respective ambitions.

Both managers could opt for tactical nuances to tip the scales. Pineda could use Edwin Mosquera’s pace on the flanks to stretch the LAFC defense. On the other hand, Cherundolo could emphasize giving up possession and hitting Atlanta United on the break to try to surprise their defense.

GK – Guzan; RB – Lennon, CB – Gregersen, CB – Abram, LB – Wiley; DM-Slisz, DM-Muyumba; LW – Mosquera, AM – Firmino, RW – Silva; ST-Rios.