Atlanta United looks to boost confidence against DC United

Manager Gonzalo Pineda said that statistics support that the team should have more goals scored, fewer goals allowed and therefore a much better record (34-3). But when a team loses five consecutive league matches, he understands that the players and their work can suffer.

“I think there are a lot of encouraging statistics and numbers for the process,” he said. “But when you get to the sixth game, going five games without winning, the level of confidence, the belief of the team, that’s the tricky part, right? We think we’re doing really good things. But the end result does not arrive. So you just have to be patient.

There are certain statistics that Pineda will refer to after matches, whether it is a win, a loss or a draw. The team’s averages over the last five games indicate that the team’s record should be better than 0-2-3:

Objectives: 1.0-1.4

Expected objectives: 1.9-1.5

Strokes: 18.2-15.4

Shots on goal: 5.0-2.8

Chances created: 13-11.4.

Pineda discussed another one on Thursday: expected goals from set pieces. Pineda said Atlanta United’s expected goals from set pieces are high, while the opponent’s expected goals are expected to be low. Instead, the results are reversed. Atlanta United is the only team in MLS this season that has yet to score from a free kick, according to whoscored.com. He allowed four.

“We are creating danger,” Pineda said. “We create actions. We are here. But the result does not arrive. So of course we have to continue, we have to be a little more precise, we have to try to be more clinical.

A problem in this area for Atlanta United on Saturday is that DC United, led by Christian Benteke, are good at set pieces, with two goals already. He allowed three, which could be a good thing for Atlanta United.

Pineda simplified his tactics against Charlotte on Tuesday in an attempt to improve the player’s confidence. Nic Firmino, who scored two goals, said it helped. The team returned to its basics of possession, passing, moving and moving the ball from one side of the field to the other.

“Having faith in the process, believing in those moments of the season, it’s a long season, you always go through those kinds of periods, that’s how we get back to normal, how we get back to where we are “Pineda said. .

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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 vs. DC United, 7:30 p.m.

May 15 in Cincinnati, 7:30 p.m.

May 18 in Nashville, 1:30 p.m.

May 25 vs. LAFC, 7:30 p.m.

May 29 in Miami, 7:30 p.m.

June 2 vs. Charlotte, 4:30 p.m., Fox

June 15 vs. Houston, 7:30 p.m.

June 19 at DC United, 7:30 p.m.

June 22 in Saint-Louis, 8:30 p.m.

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 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.