Those who likely will start in Atlanta United’s defense, the fullbacks, centerhalves and goalkeeper, are as experienced as they are cosmopolitan.
But the goal is the same, and it’s not entirely their responsibility.
“In general lines, the whole team has to defend,” Atlanta United manager Gerardo Martino said. “Defend as a team and build the attack.”
But the focus for keeping the other team from scoring ultimately lies with the defenders.
The defense allowed five goals in its four exhibition games, including chaotic moments in the final one-third of the field against Columbus’ first team and Seattle’s first team. There is work to be done.
Michael Parkhurst, the team captain and starter at centerhalf, has more than 200 appearances in MLS, as well as time spent in Denmark and Germany. Leandro Pirez, the other likely starter, has more than 100 appearances as a pro in leagues in Argentina and Belgium.
“Centerbacks are responsible for keeping the team compact,” Martino said. “They are in charge of starting the attack with the first pass. They are in charge of speaking to organize the team.”
Within those responsibilities are the details.
Pirez describes his job as a centerhalf as marking the other team’s center forward, and to maintain the line, which means making sure all four players are on the same parallel if called for. Should one of the defenders be even a few yards behind the others, it can give the opponent the room to attack the space between the defense and goal.
The pairing at centerhalf will constantly communicate. Among the topics to discuss are who is marking which forward, when to play an offside trap, what they will do should the forwards cross each other with runs in an attempt to create confusion in the defense, etc.
Pirez, whose primary language is Spanish but does speak some English, said the communication between him and Parkhurst is good. The other two centerhalves, Miles Robinson and Anton Walkes, speak English.
Should the opponent break Atlanta United’s press and initiate a counter-attack, the centerhalves will work to cut off the angles and funnel the opponent to a side.
And if that doesn’t work, there’s always the professional foul.
“It’s a resource we use to stop (opponents), as long as it’s not a really aggressive foul,” Pirez said.
The responsibilities are more complex for the fullbacks because they are expected to become involved with the offense as often as practical.
“On our team, they are very important for the attack,” Martino said. “Without forgetting their other role, which is to defend.”
Right fullback Tyrone Mears is a veteran of leagues in England, as well as posting more than 60 appearances with Seattle in MLS. Right fullback Greg Garza has played in Brazil, Portugal and most recently Mexico, where had more than 80 appearances.
“It’s a player that comes from deep,” Mears said. “Usually wingers will switch off and not track the fullbacks. It certainly the way (Martino) wants to play. It’s about making an advantage: two versus one, three versus 2. A player like a fullback can give those options.”
Backing them up in goal, or leading the defense depending upon your view, will be Decatur’s Alec Kann, who has starts in the USL and a handful in MLS. Brad Guzan, who will arrive this summer from Middlesbrough, has more than 80 appearances in MLS and 100 in the Premier League.
PREVIEWING ATLANTA UNITED
Here are the stories that will appear this week on AJC.com, on facebook at Atlanta United News Now, at twitter @Doug Roberson and in the print paper to preview Atlanta United's inaugural season. If you want to subscribe, here is the contact: https://subscribe.ajc.com/subscriptionpanel
Already online: 5 things learned from the four preseason games; the importance of set pieces in soccer; a look at the team's forwards; a look at the team's midfielders.
Today on AJC.com/Friday's paper: A look at the team's defense.
Friday on AJC.com/Saturday’s paper:
An A-to-Z look at MLS.
A fun list of lists about the league.
Team-by-team capsules.
What’s a tifo?
Saturday on AJC.com/Sunday’s paper:
A Q&A with Atlanta United owner Arthur Blank.
A Q&A with Atlanta United manager Gerardo Martino.
Player capsules.
Why have expansion teams had trouble making the playoffs in their first year?
MEET ATLANTA UNITED’S DEFENDERS
Mikey Ambrose
Position: Left fullback
Home: El Paso, Texas
Age: 23
Twitter: @mikeyambrose3
He has the speed to get up and down the flank, a must in Gerardo Martino’s system. … Will be interesting to see how much he gets to play with U.S. men’s national team player Greg Garza ahead of him. … Atlanta United acquired him in the expansion draft.
Mark Bloom
Position: Right fullback
Home: Marietta
Age: 29
Twitter: @markbloom21
Can play right or left fullback, but prefers to play on the right side. … Career was off to a promising start in Toronto before injuries sidelined him. … Atlanta United acquired him in a trade following the expansion draft. … Played at Lassiter High and Berry College.
Greg Garza
Position: Left fullback
Home: Grapevine, Texas
Age: 25
Twitter: @gmgarza4
Acquired on a season-long loan with an option to purchase from Tijuana in Mexico’s first division. … Was called into the U.S. men’s national team in January, and started in a friendly against Serbia. … A good crosser of the ball.
Alec Kann
Position: Goalkeeper
Home: Decatur
Age: 26
Twitter: @akann90
Acquired in the expansion draft from Sporting Kansas City, where he made seven appearances. … Broke through in MLS with Chicago. … Has spent time with USL teams in Charlotte and St. Louis. … Played in college at Furman. … Likely starter in goal and expected to compete with Brad Guzan when he arrives this summer.
Alex Kapp
Position: Goalkeeper
Home: Somers, N.Y.
Age: 22
Twitter: @alexkapp_14
Selected in the fourth round of SuperDraft. … Played four years at Boston College before transferring to Creighton. … Yet to sign with Atlanta United.
Zach Loyd
Position: Centerback/fullback
Home: Tulsa, Okla.
Age: 29
Twitter: @zachloyd
Acquired in the expansion draft. … Missed first few weeks of training with team during preseason because of a groin injury suffered in the offseason. … Has a made a few appearances for the U.S. men’s national team. … 180 appearances for FC Dallas. … Can play a variety of positions across the back line.
Tyrone Mears
Position: Right fullback
Home: Manchester, England
Age: 33
Twitter: N/A
Acquired in a trade with Seattle. … Starter on last year’s MLS Cup winning side. … More than 200 appearances in England playing for teams in the Premier League and Championship. … Expected to start at right back.
Michael Parkhurst
Position: Centerback
Home: Cranston, R.I.
Age: 33
Twitter: @mfparkhurst
Named team captain before the preseason game against Columbus. … Acquired in a trade with Columbus, where he was also captain. … Has more than 200 appearances in MLS. … Played for U.S. men’s national team 25 times. … Also played professionally in Denmark and Germany.
Leandro Pirez
Position: Centerback
Home: Buenos Aires, Argentina
Age: 24
Twitter: N/A
Acquired from Estudiantes in Argentina’s first division. … An aggressive centerhalf who has made more than 100 appearances for clubs in Argentina and Belgium. … Has played for Argentina’s youth national teams. … Expected to start.
Kyle Reynish
Position: Goalkeeper
Home: Valencia, Calif.
Age: 33
Twitter: @kylereynish24
Veteran has spent time with many MLS clubs. … Acquired from the New York Red Bulls in a trade.
Miles Robinson
Position: Centerback/fullback
Home: Arlington, Mass.
Age: 19
Twitter: @_milesrobinson_
Selected No. 2 in the first round of the SuperDraft. … All-ACC performer at Syracuse. … An aerial threat on set pieces. … Athletic enough and good enough with the ball to play defensive midfielder is needed. … Likely will see spot starts at centerback.
Alex Tambakis
Position: Goalkeeper
Home: Athens, Greece
Age: 24
Twitter: N/A
Atlanta United’s first signed player. … Came from Greek-power Panathinaikos. … Mother is American. … Spent last season on loan with Charleston. … May also spend some time this season with the Battery.
Anton Walkes
Position: Centerback/Defensive midfielder
Home: Lewisham, England
Age: 19
Twitter: @antonwalkes
Acquired on loan from Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League. … Can play centerback or defensive midfielder. … Fast with a good passing range. … Likely a spot starter.
Andrew Wheeler-Omiunu
Position: Midfielder/fullback.
Home: Bellingham, Mass.
Age: 22
Twitter: @andrew_w_o
Selected in third round of SuperDraft. …. Can play in midfield or fullback. … Captained the Harvard team.
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