Atlanta United Can’t Handle Chicago’s Fire…

As we said before this match hit the suburban Chicago grass this past weekend, the Chicago Fire team on the pitch was NOT in any way, manner, shape, or form close to the bunch that got blown out of Bobby Dodd Stadium in Atlanta a few months back.

It’s easy to pin down the Chicago 2-0 win over Atlanta on a different-looking Fire XI that starts in and around Bastian Schweinsteiger… that’s the easy part…

But there was a LOT more at play…

First, the down-and-dirty version of the win with the highlights…

Okay now, the long version…

Missed opportunities…

The Tito Villalba one early on could have set the tone for the entire match in an entirely different direction.

"“I think we had a chance to strike first,” Atlanta United head coach Tata Martino said after the match. “We didn’t take advantage of it and after that Chicago was able to get out on a quick counter and catch us off-guard and score and then we lost a little bit of intensity after that.”"

The High Press

As is the case with this defense, if you live by it you most certainly die by it…

On the goal that made it 1-0, the long ball to David Accam was there and he should have put the ball away early. Atlanta’s defense scrambled to get back, but Luis Solignac was the trailer who bashed it into the roof of the net.

There were, by count on social media, at least four opportunities where Atlanta looked to the Assistant Referee for a flag to be raised for a Fire player in what was thought to be an offside position.

And, for what seems to be the 38th match in a row, Alan Kelly was the lead official. He’s not making any friends in Atlanta with his on-field inconsistencies.

About that offense

It wasn’t like Atlanta United was completely out-played in the match on the whole, but it was closing in on the opportunities presented that was the issue.

Other than the Villalba five-hole move on Chicago Fire goalkeeper Matt Lampson, the numbers didn’t support what Atlanta is known to do. They key numbers were: 2 shots on-target and 61-percent possession.

And, just because you have the latter doesn’t mean it translates into larger numbers of the former. It’s what you DO with the ball that counts…

"“I think we had…Tito had one or two good chances in the first half,” midfielder Kevin Kratz said after his first start of the season. “If we score there then we go into half one-one. I think the first chance was when it was 0-0, so 1-0 in the second half as well.  We had a few crosses coming in. We create chances, it’s not that we don’t have any chances to score, we create chances, we just have to be more consistent putting the ball in the net.”"

Midfielder Julian Gressel agreed:

"“I think if we go up on the game, it’s a different game. There were a couple chances where we could go up in the first half, go up 1-0, 2-0, and that would obviously change the game. They were pretty opportunistic with their long balls and catching us, catching them onside, I guess. We couldn’t finish a chance today unfortunately.”"

Which brings up this question…

Whither Tyrone Mears

Yes, Mears was guilty of the handball in the box that Nemanja Nikolic converted for the second Chicago goal of the match. But this is another question entirely…

In this offense, you see Greg Garza on the overlap working well with Miguel Almiron, Tito Villalba and Yamil Asad on the left. But when Mears overlaps, the same connections aren’t there and he has to pull back, attempt a big switch, or slow down on the attack altogether…

And, in this offense, that’s taking pace out of the pace of play…

Just food for thought as Mark Bloom waits for his chance… which might come in US Open Cup play against Charleston Battery mid-week.

Welcome Back, Josef Martinez…

And it couldn’t have come at a more opportune time of schedule compression where, if you’re lucky, you’re playing twice a week until July 4th.

He was introduced with Miguel Almiron in a double-switch in the 60th minute and he tried to become integrated into the offense that has persevered without him.

"“He looked good, he was moving well,” Martino admitted after the match. “I don’t think you’re seeing any signs of his injury- he just needs more time to get back into rhythm.”"

"“Wednesday we’ll see. There’s a chance that we will change it so he starts so he’s able to play more minutes and start getting match fit.  And then we’ll take him off it in the second half.”"

Oh, and, Atlanta fans will try their damnedest to keep Almiron from going to international duty ever again… It is evident what the side is with him and without him.

Notes upon notes on the Fire

"“It was hard, it wasn’t joga bonito, but it was a game to win, and we did,” Fire head coach Veljko Paunovic said afterwards. “It’s always important to keep the clean sheet and to be the team, especially when you play at home to feel like you’re playing in your fortress. I think right now we kind of have that feeling.”"

It is the Fire’s sixth straight win at home. They’re now 7-0-1 this season at home and are now unbeaten in their last eight games.

And it also appears that Schweinsteiger is getting his own version if the “Jordan Rules” after a dangerous, studs-up tackle that could (and should) have been a straight red card.

Didn’t get it, though… And that could have changed momentum as well…

Notes upon notes on Atlanta United

Next up is the US Open Cup match against a very tough, top-of-the-USL-ladder side in the Charleston Battery.

Set pieces have been an issue for Atlanta United all season long and they could be again with a backline anchored by 6-foot-5 defender Forrest Lasso. Also, expect a handful of changes top the Starting XI- somewhere between four and six. But some core players should be still involved heavily as United try to put the Battery away early to prep for a match with Columbus Crew this weekend…