Five things learned while re-watching Atlanta United’s 2-2 draw with Toronto FC on Saturday.
Alec Kann. Atlanta United manager Gerardo Martino may have a big problem when goalkeeper Brad Guzan arrives later this summer if Kann continues to play as well he has in the past five games. The Decatur native had seven saves against Toronto FC, giving him 21 this season, which is second only to Bill Hamid. And some of the saves he was forced to make against Toronto were very good.
He showed very strong hands in palming away a shot by Sebastian Giovinco in the 24th minute. He used his athleticism to jump and palm a chipped effort by Giovinco a few minutes later. Though Kann had one bad pass in the first minute, his distribution with his feet and hands was also very solid. If not for Hector Villalba's two goals, Kann would have the man of the match.
Defense. Though it sometimes has a Keystone Kops vibe to it, when Atlanta United's defenders use their fundamentals they are solid. Both of Toronto's goals were the result of simple mistakes made by individual defenders, which is reminiscent of the two goals scored by the New York Red Bulls in the inaugural game.
On Toronto’s first goal, Victor Vazquez was given too much space. He chipped to Jozy Altidore, who was left unmarked at the top of the penalty box. His beautiful touch pass to Giovinco resulted in the first goal. Giovinco ran past his marker for the shot.
On Toronto’s second goal, no one tracked Steven Beitashour as he has made his run to the end line. He received the ball and crossed it to Justin Morrow at the near post for the tap-in.
Flipping the field. Way back in January, when Atlanta United reported for training camp in Bradenton, the team worked on drills where they would flip the field, going from defense to offense with as few passes as possible.
Many of the team’s goals this season, including both against Toronto, were examples. On the first, Miguel Almiron, who bossed Michael Bradley around, split the defense to find Hector Villalba. The sequence covered more than 60 yards and took 3 seconds.
The second was even more impressive, covering almost 90 yards on a pass from Leandro Pirez to Villalba and took four seconds.
This isn’t the English long ball, punt-and-hope approach. These are precise passes that have been drilled in practice.
Formation. I'm not really sure what Martino's preferred opening formation was supposed to be. The TV analysts said it was a diamond midfield. It could have been a double pivot. It could have been a 4-1-4-1. Within about 30 minutes, that formation was unrecognizable because of the up-and-down nature of the game. Most of the midfielders were high up the field, leaving the defenders on islands. Martino made adjustments at halftime and got rid of the space between the defenders by changing the back four to a back five.
TFC DPs. A few words about Toronto's Designated Players. Toronto is fun team to watch. The defenders are fast. Giovinco is probably the most exciting player in MLS. Altidore and Bradley, however, weren't nearly as good and both are two of the team's highest-paid players. Bradley has become that player that I watch and can't figure out what most everybody else is seeing, including his automatic inclusion in the U.S. men's national team, that I'm not.
Bradley had one pass into Atlanta United’s penalty box in the game.
One.
Like he often does with the U.S. men’s national team, it seems he was more intent on moving sideways and backward rather than pushing forward.
When you have Giovinco and Altidore, I’d try to get that ball forward as often as possible.
Of course, when Toronto did get the ball to Altidore in promising situations against Atlanta United he failed to deliver with two shots on target and two off. He did have several nice passes, including the assist on the opening goal.
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