Atlanta United say not worried about increasing lack of shots on goal

Atlanta United, needing wins to try to make the playoffs, has decreasingly put fewer shots on goal in each of its past five matches, culminating with just the one shot that carved out a 1-1 draw at Philadelphia in its last match.

The Five Stripes on Wednesday will host 10th-place Montreal, one slot above them in the East with three matches remaining and which held them to zero shots on goal when they last played in July. Atlanta United is three points behind the final two playoff spots. It’s hard to win if goals aren’t scored. It’s hard to score if shots aren’t put on goal. But interim manager Rob Valentino and fullback Brooks Lennon said Monday that they aren’t worried.

“Would I like there to be more? Yeah, sure,” Valentino said. “At this moment of the season, if I just tell them, ‘hey, shoot more and more and more,’ does that help? Maybe not because it could just be chaotic. It’s how can we be effective with everything we do, whether it’s six shots or whether it’s 10 shots or 20. Whatever moment we are in the season, like we have to just take care of the quality chances that we do create.”

Atlanta United does seem to be doing making the most from what it creates.

In its past five matches, Atlanta United put six shots on goal from its 19 against Charlotte. Atlanta United won 1-0. It put five shots on goal from 10 in a 2-0 loss to Nashville. It put five on goal from 17 in a 2-2 draw against Inter Miami. It put three on goal from 10 in a 2-2 at the Red Bulls. It put one on goal from nine against Philadelphia. It was a header by Saba Lobjanidze.

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During the stretch, Atlanta United is averaging 1.2 goals, 4.0 shots on goal, 15 shots and 10.4 chances created. Through 31 matches, it is averaging 1.3 goals, 4.8 shots on goal, 14.4 shots and 11.3 chances created.

Valentino said he would enjoy watching his team score more goals but each game plays out differently.

“There’s been loads of games recently where we’re like, ‘Hey, we got more possession and expected goals but we need to win, right?” Valentino said. “So we need three points, so that it’s just about being intentional about what we do and making sure that whatever chance we have we get the most out of it.”

There is a commonality to what Montreal did when it held Atlanta United without a shot on goal and what the Red Bulls and Philadelphia did in the past two matches. All three teams play a high defensive line and will press opponents when they have the ball.

There were other factors in the first meeting at Montreal that negatively affected Atlanta United. It tried a different formation with three centerbacks. It was without Giorgos Giakouamkis and Thiago Almada. Stian Gregersen received two yellow cards that resulted in his ejection. Ted Unkel, who refereed that match, is scheduled to referee Wednesday’s. Montreal was already winning 1-0 before Gregersen was sent off for the two questionable calls. Down to 10 men, Atlanta United generated nothing. It was the first time this season that Atlanta United was held without a shot on goal.

Atlanta United can find belief in that other teams have figured out how to beat Montreal’s pressure and high line. The Impact have given up 61 goals, tied for third most.

Atlanta United needs a win Wednesday. To do that, it must put shots on goal.

“I think it comes down to a lot of things in a soccer match, it’s the way the games go,” Lennon said. “Sometimes, on the road, you’re going to be under it a little bit. It’s not going to be so free-flowing at times like it is at Mercedes-Benz (Stadium), especially late in games where there’s a lot of attacks and a lot of opportunities on goal.”

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Atlanta United’s 2024 schedule

Feb. 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 U.S. Open Cup