Gonzalo Pineda promises attacking soccer with Atlanta United

It’s been said before by Atlanta United’s previous managers, but Gonzalo Pineda on Thursday said in his introductory press conference that he wants to help the team play attacking soccer.

“Passion,” he said. “Playing with passion. Playing with intensity. I want a team that represents the fans. I want to play the same as the club has been trying to play, attacking-minded football. Try to always be on the front foot. Try to create more and better chances than the opponent and playing with energy.”

Previous managers Frank de Boer and Gabriel Heinze tried to play the attacking style established by the club’s first manager, Gerardo Martino. De Boer had success, with two trophies won in 2019. Heinze was a failure, winning only two of his 13 league games before he was fired in July. That decision opened the door for Pineda, who left Seattle after more than four seasons and one MLS Cup as an assistant under Brian Schmetzer.

Atlanta United has scored 21 goals in 18 games, which is why it has only 18 points and is six points below the playoff line. Seattle has scored 26 in its 18. Seattle has an expected goal plus expected assists per game of 2.45 compared with Atlanta United’s 1.95.

Getting the team to consistently play the way it has started to play under interim manager Rob Valentino is one of the reasons Pineda was hired.

Pineda’s influences indicate that his words are his beliefs. In an interview on a YouTube show, “My Journey,” Pineda counts among his coaching influences:

Enrique Meza, a famous Mexican manager whom he described as someone who focuses on specific details and the little fundamentals. “Sometimes we overthink things. … At the end of a day, if a player can’t connect a 5-yard pass you are done.”
Hugo Sanchez, considered the best player in Mexico’s history and who managed Pineda on the Mexican national team. Sanchez was good at “how to involve everyone to achieve something.”
And Ricardo La Volpe, an Argentinian who has managed numerous high-profile clubs, as well as Mexico. Pineda he said learned from La Volpe how to attack and play from the back.

Pineda said he already has ideas for how to use the players, particularly newest signee Luiz Araujo, one of several talented and high-priced players the team has on offense. The others are Josef Martinez, Ezequiel Barco and Marcelino Moreno.

Pineda, who was a midfielder in LIGA MX, MLS and for Mexico, said he doesn’t feel that there are many things tactically that need adjusting. It’s his job to help the players focus.

“My job is to give them the tools to apply on the field to the best of their abilities,” he said. “There’s not a massive change of culture, ethos and work ethic. They all have that. They were all very positive about rest of the season.”

But should a tactical change be needed, Pineda can do it. He worked hand-in-hand with Schmetzer to help Seattle continually stay atop MLS despite injuries to key players such as Jordan Morris, surprise retirements such as Clint Dempsey or Chad Marshall, or suspensions, such as to Romain Torres.

This season, at Pineda’s urging, Seattle switched to a formation that focused on playing three centerbacks. It’s the first time in that club’s history that three centerbacks are used in the base formation. Seattle is second in the West with 33 points, and the wingbacks, Brad Smith and Alex Roldan, are among the best in the league at their positions. Atlanta United’s best play this season typically has happened when the team played with three centerbacks and two wingbacks.

Should Atlanta United’s players not show passion, Pineda has a bit of steel in him. He was a tough midfielder. Scroll through Seattle’s Twitter feed and you’ll see Pineda, with a cut above his eye, mixing it up with players from Vancouver in a Cascadia Clash game. You’ll also see him lifting the Supporters’ Shield after a victory over the L.A. Galaxy in 2014. That was a win that helped launch Seattle’s ongoing dynasty.

Like Pineda was to Schmetzer, Valentino will be there to help him.

“Valentino is doing a fantastic job in bringing back the energy to the team,” Pineda said. “I will have to adjust to see what I can bring to the table for the players. My main concern is mental aspect of players, and then after that their talent will shine on the field.”

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April 17 Atlanta United 0, Orlando 0

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