Jay Fortune shines for Atlanta United in draw against St. Louis

“I think it was my first start in a long time and my biggest goal is to do my best,” Fortune said. “I want to try and make it difficult for the other midfielders around me and they will do the same for me. I also try to make Rob’s decision difficult on a match day just so my name is always in the rotation to start the weekend.

Fortune has trained well enough and played well enough in 11 previous appearances to earn starts. But he faces veterans Tristan Muyumba, Dax McCarty and Bartosz Slisz. Fortune got the start against St. Louis as it was the team’s third game in eight days, Slisz is with Poland at the Euros and McCarty started Wednesday’s game at DC United and the World Cup game. last week against Houston at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. We needed fresh legs.

Valentino said he had many conversations with Fortune about his role and doing what he needed to do to try to get started. Fortune grows respectfully, he said.

“He was big,” Valentino said. “I think he’s always chasing those guys and that’s the best thing about having the roster we have and having a team is you want competition, That’s the competition we want, that these guys know this kid is right on their heels and he deserves an opportunity.

Atlanta United will host Toronto on June 29. McCarty will be rested. Slisz could be back from the Euros as Poland have already been mathematically eliminated from their group. Fortune and Muyumba interacted well against Saint-Louis. If one ventured forward, the other generally stayed back to defend the middle of the field. When McCarty came on in the 61st minute as part of a formational and tactical change, Fortune and Muyumba introduced themselves as dual attacking midfielders. Atlanta United regained lost momentum and scored on Daniel Rios’ penalty in the 71st minute.

“I think playing alongside Tristan, none of us are in our own right, but at the same time we’re always willing to do the work for each other,” Fortune said. “Sometimes with Dax, he’ll sit a little more and that allows one of us to venture forward, but we work well together. As long as one person was in the middle of the field at all times, it allowed the other to be a little free and I think Tristan and I bring a different dynamic going forward.

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Atlanta United’s 2024 schedule

February 24 Columbus 1, Atlanta United 0

March 9 Atlanta United 4, New England 1

March 17 Atlanta United 2, Orlando 0

March 23 Toronto 2, Atlanta United 0

March 31 Atlanta United 3, Chicago 0

April 6 Atlanta United 1, NYCFC 1

April 14 Atlanta United 2, Philadelphia 2

April 20 Cincinnati 2, Atlanta United 1

April 27 Atlanta United 1, Chicago 1

May 4 Minnesota 2, Atlanta United 1

May 7 Atlanta United 3, Charlotte Independence 0 in US Open Cup

May 11 DC United 3, Atlanta United 2

May 15 Cincinnati 1, Atlanta United 0

May 18 Atlanta United 1, Nashville 1

May 21 Atlanta United 0 (5), Charleston 0 (4) in US Open Cup

May 25 LAFC 1, Atlanta United 0

May 29 Atlanta United 3, Miami 1

June 2 Charlotte 3, Atlanta United 2

June 15 Atlanta United 2, Houston 2

June 19 Atlanta United 1, DC United 0

June 22 Atlanta United 1, Saint-Louis 1

June 29 c. Toronto, 7:30 p.m.

July 3 at New England, 7:30 p.m.

July 6 at Real Salt Lake, 9:30 p.m.

July 9 against Indy Eleven in the US Open Cup

July 13 in Montreal, 7:30 p.m.

July 17 vs. NYCFC, 7:30 p.m.

July 20 against Columbus, 7:30 p.m.

July 26 against DC United in the League Cup, 7:30 p.m.

August 4 against Santos Laguna in the League Cup, 4 p.m.

August 24 at LA Galaxy, 10:30 p.m.

August 31 in Charlotte, 7:30 p.m.

September 14 vs. Nashville, 7:30 p.m.

September 18 against Miami, 7:30 p.m.

September 21 at the Red Bulls, 7:30 p.m.

September 28 in Philadelphia, 7:30 p.m.

October 2 c. Montreal, 7:30 p.m.

October 5 against Red Bulls, 7:30 p.m.

October 19 in Orlando, 6 p.m.