Atlanta United received a brief break from MLS play in their return to the U.S. Open Cup. Despite going down 1-0 early, Atlanta scored the next three to leave town with a 3-1 win over Chattanooga FC in the Round of 32. Saturday marks a return to league action against what will be an immensely tough opponent in Nashville SC, but let’s just enjoy the win for a little bit, right?
Here are some quick thoughts from Finley Stadium as Atlanta secures passage to the Round of 16 and a date with Charlotte FC:
A slow start, but a sweet finish
You knew that Chattanooga FC was going to be pushing for that first goal to take the wind out of Atlanta United’s sails. They did just that, through a goal in the 6th minute. From there, Atlanta fans couldn’t be blamed if they were fearing a one-and-done cupset just across the Tennessee border.
Fortunately, they kept their heads up and got the job done. Jay Fortune had a terrific match, setting up Cayman Togashi’s equalizer. Fafa Picault stuck with a ball in the box and gave Atlanta the lead just past the hour mark. Even Pedro Amador, whose form from 2024 has escaped him, got in on the action as he had all day to finish a Luke Brennan cross to give his team some breathing room.
Matías Galarza
This guy is good. The way he handles the ball, creates for others, and stays so poised under pressure is fantastic. When he signed for Atlanta on loan from River Plate, there were a few questions about how he’d do in MLS. In only a handful of matches, he’s shown what a valuable player he is in Atlanta’s midfield. It’s a given that his loan is going to be made permanent as he has a chance to be a strong building block for this club for years to come.
Survive and advance
The U.S. Open Cup is the easiest path to the Concacaf Champions Cup. Win five games and you’re in. As poorly as the MLS regular season has gone for Atlanta United, it would serve them well to make as heavy a push as possible and see if they can put together a deep run. While step one has been accomplished with tonight’s win at Chattanooga, Atlanta will face a much bigger challenge against Charlotte FC. Hopefully, they’ll give a good account of themselves and can make something out of a trip to North Carolina in a couple of weeks.
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They have to pick up Galarza…they have to. He’s the breath of fresh air in the CM we’ve needed for some time now. I know everyone loves Fortune, I think he’s got the “it” factor, but I still don’t see him as the strongest 8/CM…Galarza I do. But the two of them together look to be a dynamic duo we could use. Couple this with that destroyer 6 we’ve been needing and yeah, solid.
Move on from Berrocal, I think his loan is done in June. Get yourself an experienced MLS CB (not sure who that is) and put him in as a backup/sub option as needed. Stian still seems like he’s made of glass even though he’s the stronger CB we have.
Galarza is the only central mid we have that has played well in even one MLS match this year. The rest are not good. I’ve been hoping Fortune can be an additive piece once he’s healthy. I was glad to see him in the starting XI last night, then he had a great game and played 90. Hopefully, it keeps Alzate on the bench. Then we need to address CDM over the summer. Muyumba ain’t it, but he’s all we have right now. I do wonder if Tata might slide Jacob over to CDM again with Hernandez or Edwards at RB. Though, Edwards had some rough moments that would’ve cost goals against a better club. He did do some nice things going forward, just clearly not start-worthy in MLS games yet.
Agree on Berrocal. That through ball he played was excellent, but he’s got the movement of a statue. There’s undoubtably decent backup/fringe starter CBs around the league that can eat some minutes for much less. Not sure I love Gregerson-Mihaj, but prefer we address the central midfield. The underwhelming DPs aren’t likely going anywhere in short order, so at least see if we can get some quality mids that can play with urgency and dictate the game.
I always thought Tomas Jacob played pretty well at CDM, so I thought he would do better there than at RB, but we do need an experience CDM for sure. Berrocal was definitely the reason we gave up the goal yesterday, but it also didn’t help that he was the only true CB on the entire roster during yesterday’s match, so we just need CB depth. It is crazy to think we can last the whole season with just 3 true CBs and a bunch of FBs that is “capable” of playing passable CB.
I’m still not sold on Edwards yet…he’s probably a good 2’s player, but not a first team player yet. Hernandez as RB is usually solid enough to play out a game, but we need a proper RB. Jacob does well there but I agree, I think he as a CDM may be the right move. Need to see him there more to get a better idea though. Muyumba is more the 8 than a 6, though his fault has almost always been making really bad passes…can’t have that as a CM. I’d still take him over Alzate and Reilly though as he’s just a bit different whereas Alzate/Reilly/Sanchez are all very similar.
Pedro’s form has not escaped him 😒 what has escaped is his ability to leave the bench for some reason😫
I have been banging the drum that Amador should be starting ahead of Baez, but Tata only wants to start his guys. Not saying Baez can’t eventually become a better player, but Amador has the higher floor right now.
What escaped him is a team capable of allowing him to move up where he’s the most dangerous with his crosses. He has no space, no momentum and no central support. Get him that and you’ll see his 2024 form show again.
Wonder what kind of injury Almiron picked up and how serious it is. Will be interesting to see who lines up if he’s not ready for Saturday
I think its precautionary, but i could see Brennan and or Saba coming in for the start🤔
In all honesty, I think it would be good to sit Miggy for a match or two and let others step in. Switch up some positions and see how it fares. The current XI aren’t producing so what would it hurt?