And just like that, the Five Stripes are back at it! Atlanta United took to the pitch for the first time in 2024 on Saturday, facing off against Birmingham Legion at Protective Stadium in a preseason scrimmage. The match was the first of five road matches that coach Gonzalo Pineda’s side will be playing over the next month as the club looks to improve its away form going into the MLS season.
Conditions at kickoff were incredibly windy as a spat of storms blew across the southeast, but temperatures were mild and comfortable. Atlanta United’s match format consisted of switching their entire starting XI in thirty minute intervals as the team builds their way up to full match fitness.
Atlanta United took the opening kick, and the squad immediately settled into an early rhythm with patience on the ball. They spent the vast majority of the first three minutes in possession with multiple passing sequences, spreading the Legion’s numbers around the pitch. Newcomers Stian Gregersen and Derrick Williams led the back line very well in their first appearances, flanked by Ronald Hernandez and Aiden McFadden, as the team employed the mid block they’ve been training.
However, Legion came out with some positional curiosities of their own, essentially implementing a midfield square in a 5-2-2-1. This caused a bit of a frenetic opening 15 minutes, and though Atlanta United wasn’t without chances, they ultimately had to adapt to open up their own space around midfield. They made the adjustment by allowing draft pick Javier Armas the sole six spot, with Tristan Muyumba and one of the fullbacks drifting inside when necessary. This pushed Nick Firmino higher up, creating some more openings throughout the middle of the pitch.
The in-game alteration made an immediate difference as the squad had more consistent room to operate, and the first real haymaker came in the 20th minute.
Ronald Hernandez played in a cross from near the right wing, and Derrick Williams got the slightest touch via his head towards a waiting Giorgos Giakoumakis. The Greek striker settled it quickly and fired it into the net to make it 1-0.
The momentum didn’t stop there. A literal moment later Xande Silva found himself with space to run on the left wing, and he played the ball forward to Nick Firmino as he was clipped from behind and went down. Firmino wasted no time taking his defender on confidently into the box before picking out the near post angle to make it 2-0 in the 22nd minute.
Xande Silva was tended to by the medical staff and he stood on the sideline awaiting the ref’s signal to come back on. Five minutes later he was still standing there. This drew some ire on social media, but the explanation is as follows. MLS is implementing – as one of their new rules that were tested in MLS Next Pro last season – that a player needing to leave the pitch is required to stay off for three minutes. However, the refs in this situation had a misunderstanding where instead of allowing Silva back on after the three minutes, they let the three minutes expire and then wouldn’t allow him back on until the next stoppage.
Aiden McFadden noted after the match that the slight change came to try and get the fullbacks into better positions to combat Legion’s midfield. He was also asked about playing next to Stian Gregersen, whose showing (especially in his aerial duels) impressed his teammates and Gonzalo Pineda. McFadden praised Gregersen’s talent, but also shrugged and laughed, saying “Norwegians Are Awesome.” Perfect time to go get you a t-shirt from the first awesome quote of the season.
The next batch of subs arrived in the 30th minute, including the first appearance of goalkeeper Josh Cohen, Derrick Etienne playing as a number 10, veteran Dax McCarty in as the defensive midfielder, and a right-wing duo of Brooks Lennon and Saba Lobjanidze.
The newcomers had a tough time transitioning in and keeping control of the match, allowing Birmingham a foothold. Though the Five Stripes created a solid chance in the 35th minute as Derrick Etienne played a good ball – which was ultimately saved – into striker Jamal Thiare, it would be the Legion that struck next.
Enzo Martinez was able to get off a shot stemming from a kerfuffle at the top of the box, and the ball deflected off Luis Abram as he tried to stop it. The deflection sent the ball high and right and there was nothing Josh Cohen could do, despite his best, outstretched effort.
Halftime came and went, complete with the torrential rain that struck the second group, and the Five Stripes had a better second half of their second thirty minutes. The score remained 2-1, but they seemed a bit more composed.
The final 11 entered the fray in the 60th minute and consisted mostly of a group of Academy kids, with the 2’s Efrain Morales at center back and Quentin Westberg between the sticks. Cooper Sanchez played a phenomenal thirty minutes, Efrain Morales had a stand-up shift, and the attack looked confident via guys like Rocket Ritarita and Ashton Gordon.
The young guys never seemed to panic, and though there were some nervy moments, they held strong and even created a few solid attacking chances. Their will to keep the win saw them through to the 2-1 victory, rounding out the work of 33 different players over the course of 90 minutes.
Pineda had great praise for Cooper Sanchez in the post-match interview, and noted that the coaching staff hasn’t worked with the younger kids on some of the techniques like the mid-block. He also stated that the squads still need time and fine-tuning on many aspects of what they’ve been practicing, noting he was pleased with some parts but acknowledging the necessity for progression throughout the preseason.
You can check out the full interview audio from Gonzalo Pineda, Aiden McFadden, and Nick Firmino over on our Patreon!
Atlanta United has a week until their next preseason matchup against Memphis 901, which will be out in Athens, Georgia. A repeat matchup of last year’s rough Open Cup match, this one is set to bring a ton of fans out to the home of the Dawgs, despite its “preseason” status.
Be sure to check back this week on our live show on Wednesday as we chat with Aiden McFadden! And yes, we’re certain the term “viking” will come up a time or two.