Three Thoughts on Atlanta United’s Preseason Draw vs Memphis 901

Atlanta United continued its preseason campaign on a beautiful Saturday afternoon out in Athens, Georgia. The squad played two normal 45 minute halves, but with a full personnel swap at the half as the team builds up fitness before the penultimate trip to Florida in a few days. Jamal Thiare’s first club goal courtesy of a Javier Armas assist proved the deciding factor.

Bartosz Slisz Grew Into The Game

While newcomer Stian Gregersen received his first minutes last weekend vs Birmingham Legion, this match would be Polish defensive midfielder Bartosz Slisz’s first minutes in an Atlanta United kit. Slisz has been one of the most highly anticipated signings for the Five Stripes through the preseason, and he slowly grew into the game on Saturday. While not perfect, he provided some crucial interventions to win the ball back in dangerous moments.

He ultimately showed flashes of his quality with better one touch passing as the half progressed, and by winning some key duels. For a player who got a full 45 minutes the day after he could officially start training with the team, there’s plenty to be excited about.

The Overall Midfield Did Well

Memphis 901’s midfield is one of the best in USL, bolstered even further by the addition last season of our old pal Emerson Hyndman. They rocketed off to a quick start, taking Atlanta United by surprise in the third minute with a goal that was about impossible for Josh Cohen to get a paw on. This was by far the weakest moment for Atlanta’s midfield, though, as they rebounded well in both their desire to control the ball and win the ball back. By the 20th minutes, the Five Stripes’ midfield had established itself and began to provide openings and opportunities for the attackers.

Even more impressive was the second half midfield with Javier Armas and Matias Gallardo cementing the central locations for Atlanta. Quick note, Javier Armas played some phenomenal free kicks, as well.

The Mentality and Fight is There

While the first half may not have gone the way Atlanta United wanted, it was refreshing to see the squad shake off mistakes and look like the better side for most of the half. Memphis didn’t get the memo that this was a preseason friendly, and there’s nothing wrong with that. The Five Stripes need to experience some physicality and frustration now, as it does nothing but help them grow and bond as a team.

As for the opening goal, it was certainly preventable from the initial duel in midfield, but the shot was a dang good one and there’s nothing Cohen could’ve done to save it from the upper 90. The second half continued to show some animosity and chippiness from both sides, but Atlanta’s players weren’t backing down from any dust-ups.

Overall, it played like anyone would expect of the second game of preseason. Plenty of disorganization and choppy play, but also some very solid showings. Noah Cobb, Javier Armas, Matias Gallardo, Brooks Lennon, and Tyler Wolff were the standouts of the day, but at this point, the intangibles are the most important. And the intangibles are present and accounted for.