Atlanta United Vs Toronto FC: 5 things we learned – Typical Atlanta

Toronto FC crushed Atlanta United 4-1 on Sunday during MLS Decision Day. Atlanta fought for a trophy and points record while Toronto fought for pride. Here are five things we learned.

It was a disappointing end to an otherwise impressive season for Atlanta United. The team traveled to Toronto looking to secure the club’s first trophy and the MLS record for points in a season. The Five Stripes got neither. Instead, Toronto FC demolished Atlanta and sent the Five Stripes home in disappointing fashion.

Atlanta never got their feet on the ground and looked extremely lost at times. As is customary, as soon as the game seemed lost, the Atlanta players grew frustrated and let it show in their play and demeanor.

Maybe Tata Martino’s announcement this week on leaving the club threw the players off. Maybe the pressure of winning on the road in unfavorable conditions created the performance we witnessed. Or maybe the pressure of capturing the Supporters’ Shield was too much for the team. Whatever it was, this was a typical Atlanta sporting collapse.

Here are five things learned from Atlanta’s crushing loss to Toronto.

5. Lack of organization

Atlanta looked extremely unorganized out of the gate. A large part of that equation is the absence of Miguel Almiron. Tata Martino declined to straight up replace Almiron with a different midfielder on the roster. This is why I think the team looked so unorganized.

Almiron cannot be replaced perfectly. No player in the league can replicate his style, including Atlanta’s own roster. But over the last two matches without the Paraguayan, the team proved it has no central midfielder capable of pulling the strings like Almiron. Is it Darlington Nagbe? Ezequiel Barco?

Without an apparent central midfielder, there is no connection between the attack and defense. This is a large reason as to why Atlanta shipped four goals in the loss on Sunday. The last time they gave up four goals they showed a similar lack of organization.

Almiron’s absence, and his hopeful return for this week’s first playoff game, beg the question: what is Tata Martino’s best line-up in the playoffs? I think either a 3-5-2 or 4-2-3-1 is the way to go. Martino has been using a 4-3-3 recently, and it has led to some extremely poor defensive showings.

There are pros and cons to either of Atlanta’s primary formations. The 4-2-3-1 gets the first-choice players on the field. However, the 3-5-2 gets Julian Gressel at his best position (right wing back) and keeps Jeff Larentowicz on the field. It remains to be seen what Martino will do, but Atlanta must be organized.