Atlanta United began the Stephen Glass era with a 2-0 victory over Nashville SC in an abysmal empty Mercedes-Benz Stadium. To say that the Five Stripes are back may be a little too early, but there is no doubt that the much needed win was a great start under new leadership. There were some issues and the match did not go as smoothly as you would dream, but there are a lot of positives to take. Here are some thoughts on the team’s first win since friggin ‘March.
- First and foremost, this team needed a win. We can talk about style of play and tactics all you want, but it’s clear the players were in a funk. Winning heals all. Hopefully they can continue this result and start playing with more confidence to string some more wins together.
- Well, what the team actually looked like in the first game under Glass … Not bad. There was some fighting over the field. From building the back to connecting the midfield and attacking, it was rough for long stretches of the game. However, there were some bright spots. The total energy of the team was great. They did well to push as high as possible and always be alert and ready to make the extra run to cover mistakes. The built-up play about Brooks Lennon’s great chance in the first half is an example of what Glass is looking for: Quick decisions and finding holes to create chances. That opportunity should have been a goal and maybe things would have made a lot different if it had resulted one.
- Still, Pity Martinez went out and had himself a game. Seeing Andy Dufresne live his best life on the beach in Mexico, Pity was as influential as we’ve ever seen him in an Atlanta shirt. His individual brilliance essentially won the match for the Five Stripes. His first touch and then dribble around a defender for the first goal was elevated. While his thunder from a climactic strike late in the second half looked forward to 18 months of frustration running out his aura. We can only hope that we see this version of Pity Martinez consistently here.
- Compassion was clearly Man of the Match, but we have to give some love to his left flanker, George Bello. There was some doubt as to whether the youngster could play as a natural left-back in a backline of four defenders. Sure, he had a few hiccups in his first chance, but I think it’s safe to say that those worries were nicely dispelled. While he was stable in defense, and only defeated a few times, he was a threat in attack and would need an assist in the first half. Bello should get many more chances to prove himself and if he improves on this performance, the future of the left-back spot looks great.
- It was not a perfect first game for a new appearance system, but it was certainly a helluva much better than what we saw a month ago in Orlando. Now it’s just a matter of building chemistry, continuing to learn the system and most importantly becoming completely healthy. Let us remember that last night’s lineup was far from the best potential eleven Glass could choose. Once Ezequiel Barco, Jurgen Damm and Cubo Torres are all ready to go, this team has the potential to go places.
