That’s how you put out a fire.
Sorry, sorry, I know.
Anyway, here are the final whistle thoughts from this Easter Sunday clash between Atlanta United and Chicago Fire.
The passing wasn’t as precise as it needed to be…initially
Atlanta United slowly grew into the game throughout the first half, but the team just didn’t appear on the same page initially. There were more than a few errant passes even though Atlanta held the lion’s share of possession early, and it just seemed as if they were trying to thread too fine of a needle.
Atlanta grew out of it (mostly), however, and began to look much more cohesive as the match went on. They had a few phenomenal spells of possession but were ultimately let down by the final product – until they weren’t. They had 11 shots with 2 on target by about the 30th minute, but only a couple of those shots posed any real threat against Chicago’s goalkeeper. It would be Giakoumakis and Jamal Thiare who turned the tide, though, and found the clinical moments to give Atlanta the win.
This team can break loose at any moment
The first half wasn’t necessarily the prettiest, but Atlanta’s confidence continued to grow as the seconds ticked on. The killer instinct of Giakoumakis has been put on display constantly in the early games of the 2024 campaign; he only needs a half chance to make the opposition pay. The work rate of Saba Lobjanidze opened up different points of attack for the Five Stripes, and it all finally paid off with his simple cross into the box that was finished by GG.
Atlanta had 15 shots in the first half and on a better day, they probably go into the half up 3-0. They kept Chicago under duress for the majority of the game, and even though the Fire had some moments in the opening action of the second half, it consistently looked as if Atlanta were the primary aggressor. That being said, the final product for most of the early match was lacking. Chalk that up to everyone getting back from international break or whatever, but it’s nice that even on an off day the team can find a way to score goals. Even better when your backup striker comes in and immediately puts himself in the conversation with a brace of his own!
Jamal Thiare took Easter literally with that header
Giakoumakis was subbed off in the 63rd minute as part of a triple sub (seemingly in pain) and Jamal Thiare stepped onto the pitch. He instantly shut up anyone who doubted his ability to score goals.
Thiare admittedly had a rough go last week against Toronto, but he came into the match against Chicago and was quite literally an instant impact with a thunderous header at the far post. He was more than just a one-time wonder, though, as he kept Chicago’s center backs heavily occupied to open up space for his fellow subs – especially Edwin Mosquera on the left wing. He then was in the right spot at the right time to finish the chance that Edwin Mosquera and Thiago Almada created to bag his brace. He also could have had a third if not for that pesky offside flag and its meddling friends.
Either way, it was a good shift and just what Jamal needed…and just what the squad needs if God forbid GG’s injury is anything substantial.
Also, quick shout to Saba Lobjanidze for putting in an absolute shift in this match.
I just saw the end, (gorgeous beach day here), little to say. I didn´t like the looks of your Demostenes leaving the field. Is it an injury? And who is this guy who scored the brace? Never heard of him, but he a) did everything right in the goal where he dribles and shoots – Lada mechanic did his best to block Almada in earlier part of the play -, and he was at the right place for the header in his second goal. Is he another of your findings in European less visible divisions?
In any case, Chicago seems to be a zombie team. Is it my eyes?
Chicago is one of those classic MLS teams with no ambition. There wasnt a single player I feared when they got on the ball because it was clear they had no structure or purpose.
The strange thing is they have some capable players. I was shocked by how invisible their striker was. He was a prominent player for a Europa league caliber Belgian team. I was surprised he didnt seem to try and make more of an impact.
Sometimes teams in our weird league just dont matchup well against certain opponents but it was a very lifeless performance indeed. A 3 goal margin was very fair and we played good but certsinly not great.
Chicago FC does not deserve the city of Chicago, maybe my favorite in the US (But I don´t know Atlanta yet)
Jamal Thiare got the brace. I think we got him from a 2nd division club in France. We was with the team last season but did not play a lot and didn’t score when he did.
Tks. Let´s hope he had found the path to goal, and glory.
Sure hope GG is alright. I watched it live and on TV and he was suddenly pulled out after appearing to re-tweak his right knee. It was taped after halftime also.
Yesterday’s game was kind of weird. I didn’t think we played especially well most of the first half, but still felt like we were also playing way better than Chicago. Maybe it was just them not really being interested in chasing possession or the game and AUFC being fine to possess their way into form during the match. I think there is room for improvement, but still a nice 3-0 score line in the end with 3 pretty good goals all around. Hopefully, Giako’s issue was more fatigue than actual injury. Thiare acquitted himself nicely yesterday, but Giako is a true difference maker when he’s right.
We did not look sharp for most of the game. When I stop and think about it, I guess it makes sense though. We played two games and had half our starting 11 leave for international duty and come back mid week for this game. It makes sense we are not clicking in midseason form. Thought the first goal before the half was huge. It felt like the longer the game stayed tied there was a god chance that would be one of those games where Chicago nicks a goal and wins the game. Almada got himself into some great places early and should have kept a few of those shots on frame. All in all though it was a good result. We did what we had to do and a 3-0 win feels great. Happy for Thiare to but the ball in the back of the net a couple of times. Hopefully this gives him some confidence and gets him going too.
The first half was definitely odd, but despite that, it’s crazy how Atlanta still looked the better side than Chicago. Chicago just seemed out of sorts.
Agreed, it was strange that they could not take advantage when we made mistakes and coughed up the ball in bad places.
Why is no one talking about how Almada (sorry El Mago) absolutely cooked the man in the 94 min. Almada grabbed that man’s ankles and absolutely sent them. I mean can someone please make that into a GIF?
I thought Cobb was pretty solid, but also it seemed to my untrained eye that Chicago wasn’t attacking him much. I would expect other teams to pressure him given he’s a replacement player and so young.
Almada was more aggressive than he has been in a few games. A lot more “catalytic” today.
Our Soviet-era Lada mechanic is pretty good at crossing, and his work rate is outstanding. Him blocking that shot saved a goal.
Guzman continues to play well, but his distribution was off today. Nearly had a howler of a giveaway early on as he passed laterally to a man in the 6 who was being marked.
Silsz looked tired, but he did play 120 minutes for Poland.
Lennon continues to cross almost as well as that German guy we used to have that people were so upset to see leave. I saw that guy had his 70th career MLS assist yesterday for the pink flamingos.
We actually do not miss Miles. I am still surprised to say that.
Thiare finally looked worth the salary. Giorgos seems somewhat injury/knock-prone, not too surprising given how physical he is on the pitch. Hopefully Jamal can maintain this form.
Well, the crowd was better than what I expected. Solid performance; saba is a very clever player; Cobb is better than Miles; much better passer. Guz looks renewed; Pineda is growing into his job. Was this the best team performance this year? The roof should’ve been open; WTF is going on. Why have an operable roof and 95% is closed?
I’m guessing the roof is closed, because they don’t want to clean pollen off the entire inside of the stadium.
Much better match by muyumba imo, but slisz was still so wasteful. Still waiting for him to start living up to the hype, and hoping right now he’s still recovering after int’l duty.
saba was a boss. My motm. But Thiago (even without a goal) was a menace. Looks like he might be rounding into last years form again.
so happy to see Cobb get the start over Abram too. I think he’s already the better choice and he was really solid today.
Well, Jamal Thiare made me a lot less scared about Tank when Tank’s away on international duty. That was an amazingly good game as a sub.
Thats 2 yellows in 5 games for needlessly kicking the ball away from Wiley, I believe. I hope he gets an earful.
Yeah that was as silly a yellow as I’ve ever seen. Wonder if the other guy said something, or if Caleb was just being a douche.
Regardless, teams will bait him if he shows lack of control of himself.
Caleb Wiley will back down from no one lol. Which is good but yeah, can’t go racking up needless yellows.