Though he knows it will never happen, Atlanta United manager Gerardo Martino on Thursday came up with a unique reasoning as to why his team should be allowed to field 14 players when it plays at Chicago on Saturday.
“Now that there are six refs, if we keep adding refs, maybe we can add players, too,” he said, causing those interviewing him to laugh at the logic.
Martino’s novel answer came because has a problem that few other managers in MLS have experienced this season: too many good players from which to decide a starting 11.
With the return of striker Hector Villalba and defender Franco Escobar last week, Martino has a roster that is arguably the deepest in MLS, rivaling Toronto's and NYCFC's.
“We’ve got guys that easily would slot into a lot of the team’s in the league’s first 11,” goalkeeper Brad Guzan said. “Speaks volumes of the quality of the club we have here.”
That quality has helped Atlanta United go unbeaten in its past seven games, with six wins. It leads the league in points per game (2.38), goals scored (21) and goal difference (plus-12).
Though how a player trains during the week is an important factor in deciding lineups, the team’s recent success is also why Martino hinted on Thursday that he may use the same 11 as he has the past two games in a 2-0 win at the L.A. Galaxy and a 4-1 win at home against Montreal.
“When you are in a stretch like that sometimes it’s tough to make too many modifications other than what’s really necessary,” he said. That may mean Villalba and Escobar will come off the bench again this week.
None of the players interviewed during the week wanted to predict who will be in the lineup on Saturday. Julian Gressel said he has considered different combinations, but said his thoughts don’t matter.
Peeling back the curtain on how the players find out if they are going to be used, Martino said they usually figure it out during the tactics sessions during training. Those who are being used are likely the ones who will start because Martino said he usually doesn’t modify the 11 after those sessions. Martino said he usually doesn’t talk to the players about the selections.
Those who may not start, but are going to be in the 19 who travel, will find out when it is posted during the week.
Martino said just because the team has a wealth of attacking talent with MLS player of the month Miguel Almiron, Josef Martinez, who is tied for the league lead with Almiron with six goals, Ezequiel Barco, Hector Villalba and Darlington Nagbe, he isn't going to forget that the team must also play defense.
“Even though we have a lot of great attacking players we aren’t going to play with 10 attackers,” he said. “For example, in the last game against Montreal, we had Tito (Villalba) come off the bench at halftime. We just have to make the team as balanced as possible.”
The other advantage Martino has when deciding his lineup is the ability of the players to slot into any number of positions depending upon the situation.
Last week, for example, Gressel started as a right wingback, was moved to right fullback when Martino made a formation adjustment, and the moved to center midfield following a substitution. Barco can play striker or as a wide midfielder. Almiron and Villalba can play as a striker or wide midfielder. Nagbe can play anywhere in the midfield. Jeff Larentowicz can play as a defensive midfielder or centerback. Chris McCann can play as a midfielder, fullback or centerback. He ventured forward in last week’s win against Montreal to create the situation that led to Almiron’s game-tying penalty kick.
The depth pushing them includes striker Romario Williams, midfielder Kevin Kratz, who scored two goals last week, midfielders Andrew Carleton, Brandon Vazquez and Andrew Wheeler-Omiunu and centerback Miles Robinson, all of whom have earned first-team minutes this season and performed well.
“That’s what you want in a team, what you want in a successful team,” Guzan said. “Guys are competing for spots. Guys Monday to Friday are pushing each other to get better, ultimately making the team better.
“And then hopefully you’ve done enough to warrant being in the first 11. If not, you come off the bench and make an impact.”
That’s what Kratz did last week by scoring both of his goals off free kicks. The first gave Atlanta United a 2-1 lead and came just four minutes after he was subbed in. The second provided the final margin.
“If you are a player you have to expect your name to be called,” Larentowicz said.
About the Author
