And with that, Atlanta United’s first derby day of the year is done after a 2-0 win over Orlando City! In what ultimately wasn’t perhaps as dominant as the final scoreline reflected, the Five Stripes nonetheless did the dang thang against the Lions. Orlando held a ton of possession and we saw a more chippy – and dare I say defensively astute – Atlanta United that held strong in a match where it was about impossible to determine what could be called a foul.
Either way, that’s two wins in a row for Atlanta and the season’s first clean sheet, and you can’t ask for much more against a rival at home. Here are a couple of final whistle thoughts on how this one went down in the Benz!
Atlanta’s left wing was on fire
To put it into perspective, Atlanta United had two spicy runs into the box within two minutes of the opening whistle, and both came from some beautiful play from the likes of Caleb Wiley, Xande Silva, Tristan Muyumba, and Thiago Almada. Atlanta wasn’t only showing that side some love, though – when this team’s wings get going it’s a thing of beauty.
It would ultimately be the left wing that created the first goal, courtesy of a trivela(!!!!!) assist by Giorgos Giakoumakis and a wonderful run by Saba Lobjanidze to slot it home in the 9th minute. Atlanta continued to drill those outside spaces while Orlando tried their hardest to force the ball through the middle, and fair play – Orlando had a significant spell of decent opportunities in the first half.
In the second half the tables turned somewhat and via some slight tactical tweaks Atlanta had to absorb pressure, but playing the ball out wide was gold for the Five Stripes.
Giakoumakis is playing as the complete number 9
This may not be a revelation or anything but Giorgos Giakoumakis is just doing it all. He’s an absolute menace in and around the box, he has feathers in his boots when it’s time to fight in the air, and his hold-up play helps create so many opportunities for this team. His ability to attract attention frees up so much in this attack and he’s playing a more polished, refined role so far this season. A goal and an assist for the big Greek and he’s just having a ball.
He also cleared a ball on an Orlando corner with his foot…from a position lying on his back on the turf.
And as I was editing this he just scored a goal of the week candidate. You’re welcome, I’ll be here next week, too.
Also, someone check on his hand after he slapped the turf of the Benz after the 987th foul on him that wasn’t called.
The defense bent but never broke
It’s just refreshing to have a clean sheet. The defense – and Brad Guzan in his 200th appearance for Atlanta United – deserved it. The additions of Bartosz Slisz, Stian Gregersen, and Derrick Williams have been outstanding, and they just seem a more cohesive unit than Atlanta has had in years. The one negative here is Derrick being subbed out with some type of injury, so here’s hoping it’s something minor.
Orlando whipped tons of balls into the final third and the defense held strong on all of them, despite some sketchy moments at times. And that’s how you win some of the chippiest games you’ll see in MLS. I’ll take it all day, because even in moments the attack wasn’t as cohesive as it should’ve been, the back line held up well.
Let us know what your overall thoughts were in the comments, and keep an eye on ScarvesAndSpikes.com for more content throughout the week!
Dear Atlantistas. I got to watch some, but not much, as my churrasco guests refused to leave.
Anyway, congrats on a good win against a team that is nominally good (I did not detect any player with Orlando who stood out).
I saw the pass from your striker to the Soviet-era mechanic on the right, for the first goal, and it reinforces my surprise with him (the striker). Such a classy touch is not usually found in big strikers.
And, I was surprised at your goal keeper. I did not remember him being so safe, and comforting to the defense. I am having a very bad impression of MLS goalkeepers this year. It seems they can do decent things, and then go crazy from time to time. Guzan seems to be the best in your league at the moment.
Almada seemed like he was very busy avoiding any contact. Is there an offer for him?
But, unfortunately I would not watch more.
A question: I saw some tv numbers, and they are very low. Don´t US fans like to watch football on television?
Were those numbers on Fox? Because I believe most people would watch on Apple T.V. In regards to Guzan he is by far not the best MLS GOALKEEPER. He may have had a decent game but ummm.. Just watch some of the goals we conceded last year. That should give you an answer.
Yes, I saw the Fox numbers. Here, watching football really is a part of life. If you are anywhere, and a game is showing, you watch it, and comment. Any game. I think your stadiums are remarkably full, (they are not so big – except stadiums like Atlanta´s – and your attendance numbers are really something. And goalkeepers do have ups and downs. I see Guzan as a very fine, solid keeper. Most MLS keepers can make fine saves, but you just dont feel very safe. It is like flying a Boeing Max.
Guzan has enjoyed a bit of come back kid moment, which is awesome for us. I hope it lasts. The man’s 39 years old, so kudos to him.
To answer your TV question…well, I was in a bar inside Atlanta city limits for our home opener and the bar was playing the Duke/Carolina game and Fight Night instead of our home opener. That tells you something. So, yes, we have our community and we like to watch however we can, but it is not the major sports community even where there is a concentration of fans. Most MLS fans probably have AppleTV streaming already, so I wouldn’t expect Fox to have reported big numbers.
Incidentally, my daughter had the opportunity to go to Gremio’s game a couple Sundays ago. She had blast enjoying your very welcoming soccer community!
Hi! Your daughter was in Porto Alegre? So cool. Wasn´t it like 200 degrees? There is this heat wave from Paraguay, and Argentina. How did she like the stadium? This is still state championship, something from the past that clubs keep playing for some reason. How did the like it?
I think both Gremio, and Internacional, have really good environments.
She loved it so much. She loves soccer and she loves the heat, so perfect for her to be away for the last of our winter. She has spent the month with her boyfriend’s family, traveling to various cousins and grandmas, practicing her Portuguese. He had to take the opportunity to see any Gremio game available while they were close. She wishes she didn’t have to come home.
I am so glad she is enjoying it. I live some 400 km north of Porto Alegre now, beautiful beaches here. Porto Alegre is a very cool town, with a lot of arts and culture – and football. In this state where I live now, football comes to die.
My theory on Guzan is he is finally now fully recovered from tearing his Achilles. Looking back, I’m not sure he was 100% at any point last season. He’s not terribly spry, but he is moving better this year so far, to my untrained eye.
He has done pretty well with distribution, and as a shot stopper his strengths are his size and positioning – he at least knows where to stand and how to direct a defense. I crapped on him a lot (I thought we could stick a fork in him because he was done), but he’s been fine so far.
I like solid, mostly reliable keepers. He is one. And the only fault I see is his ball distribution, but most keepers are bad with their feet.
“Soviet era mechanic on the right” what a great line.
Look up the “winner” in the recent 4-3 Chicago Montreal game. Truly embarrassing for our league from a goalkeeping standpoint.
I saw that. It was shameful.
Meh. Keepers make howler mistakes in every league on the planet. That ball was launched into 40mph gusting winds. There’s no real shame in having the winds of The Windy City wreak havoc on you as an athlete. It’s happened before. It’ll happen again.
That was bad. Seen worldwide. Miami´s goalkeeper also left his box hunting for butterflies, and it was bad.
Thumbs up for “hunting for butterflies”.
I don´t know, I just can´t believe this Saba guy plays real football. He absolutely lacks style. It is Lada football. But. sometimes these guys just look weird, while they deliver.
Style isn’t everything! I like Saba
He probably can’t dance the Samba, but he’s likely got a pretty mean Robot. He’s been very solid for us.
Humm. He can fix a Lada, for sure. But, as I said, it is true that some players lack style, and still deliver.
I know officiating is always an easy… “they were horrible!!” but last night “they were horrible!!!” Seems like ego was certainly a main factor for some of our YCs.
I feel like Almada is a touch off so far this season. Too much international duties in the offseason? Distracted by a transfer he wants but hasn’t come yet? It’ll nice see him back in form considering how GG is already playing.
Muyumba makes bad choices on both sides of the ball.
Saba is fun to watch! Silva needs to find is touch in the final 3rd.
We probably should have won that game by more but considering the ref issues and that last year we probably would have given up a weak goal or 2, I’m happy we got the win, a clean sheet and another GG GOTW!!!
Stian and Williams take a bow. Near-perfect game from the two of them.
Several very bad giveaways and unforced errors throughout the game. Muyumba had a couple of stinkers that I remember specifically, Almada trying to assist the other team in our own box and getting the most unnecessary yellow of all time, Lennon getting caught from behind (Not 100% his fault – teammates should’ve communicated better)… Yikes. Gotta clean that up.
Saba was on fire. Xande needed to clean up the final touch/pass, but was getting into dangerous areas consistently.
Ref was out of control bad. Giving Wiley a yellow for consistent infringement after a non-foul (which was only his second)?? Awful.
Still a 2-0 win against LoLando so I’m content, but this game could’ve been a lot better.
Agreed. Williams and Stian just seem like the perfect partnership. It reminds me of a Pique-Puyol at Barca. It seems like they may not work together but they compliment each other very well.
Guys, this team reminds me of 2018 and Tata. I know Pineda is obsessed with possesion but this reminds me of 2018 when we didn’t have even half of the possession on many occations but the lethal, counterattacking football was AMAZING. Hopefully we can keep this up as this style of play is great for MLS, espically on the road. Bend but don’t break and finish your chances. VAMOS ATLANTA
And even on a night when it wasn’t perfect you still come out with a W and a clean sheet. All day, every day
-Flips Mac over table and drop kicks autocorrect for the 350th time- I thought I fixed it last night but it kept trying to make me say “traveling”
The FS1 commentators must have been told by the league to not criticize the replacement officials. I can’t remember hearing a single criticism of a game that was not officiated consistently.
Could be the reason Guzan looked about as mobile as a scarecrow last season is he wasn’t ever quite fully back from the Achilles injury. I wouldn’t say he’s spry, but he’s not a statue. He’s on the older side for a pro athlete so I guess it’s not surprising he took longer to really get back. I thought he did a good job with distribution as well.
We looked dominant for almost the whole first 35 minutes, but only got the one goal. There were a couple times that guys had the ball in the 18 with an open shot on goal and…looked to pass. Saba in particular. It’s good to be unselfish, but don’t pass up a good shot for a worse one.
Great pass from Giorgos on Saba’s goal, which was also well-done, going far post when the keeper definitely expected near post. Another assist from Lennon to Giorgos, who showed the team how to not pass up an open look at goal.
Defense was solid. We really don’t miss Miles, and I didn’t think I’d say that.
My $0.02.
Probably Guzz’s best game distributing the ball accurately. Probably worst game I’ve seen Almada play
Agree, gave Almada a 6.
Which is saying a lot because for the average MLS player, this might not be the worst game. It is just so bad for Almada’s standards.
I had to pay up for the Apple+ MLS subscription (certainly miss the free T-Mobile subscription that was offered last season). FS1 is just going through the motions now with their lackluster MLS coverage. Apple+ has it’s flaws but I do like what they are offering especially on Saturday evenings with their “whip around show”.
I was at the game last night but when I got home my son had left the tv on and the game was replaying. It was right around the time in the 2nd half when the ref really started to lose control. Taylor Twellman did question some of the calls but I feel like he probably had to mute his mic so as to not completely bash the officiating.
Just a few post-game thoughts
Great points (from all). The thing that impressed me most with this game was that when we lost momentum and possession, we didn’t panic and played like a complete unit. I was nervous there for a bit that Orlando would tie it up and cause a lot of pressure, but agree – we bent, but didn’t break. There will be some tough games ahead, but I’m quite optimistic from what I see thus far!
Matt Doyle over at the MLS mothership described Almada’s play of late as “trying to secure a $30m transfer with every touch” and that feels about right. Tonight was the most boring old professional football win I’ve seen out of AU in a long time. Last year’s squad would have been lucky to get out of the building with a 1-1 draw, more likely conceding a game winner late to lose outright. Sliz is the most invisible game changing addition we’ve had since that guy up in Columbus.
100% on Slisz. We’ve been missing his level of play since Nagbe left. Amazing how that one addition elevates the entire squad.
Orlando looks like old Atlanta United. Good in possession but mostly toothless.
The refereeing was not great but we need to be more composed. No need to pick up 5 yellows in a game like that.
Likewise, also just too casual on the ball.
But all that said, it was STILL a reasonably comfortable 2-0 win and I felt Pineda made all the right moves to see out the game.
I feel like the match ratings might be more all over the place for this one.
I’ll give credit to Muriel. He was giving us fits everywhere on the pitch, and it almost didn’t matter how much pressure we put on him.
To be fair on the yellows, many of them seemed to come from nowhere.
Muyumba started to be very casual on the ball, I suspect because he was tired.
Yeah even Pineda was tired of Muriel in the post match conference 😂
Muyumba was casual with the ball early on. He was making weak touch passes that I give my young son grief about when he makes them. “Put some pace on the ball”