Atlanta United: 5 key players to watch during double matchweek

4. Eric Remedi

With Darlington Nagbe staying behind against Vancouver, Eric Remedi’s role on the pitch becomes a lot more important. Nagbe is very integral to Atlanta’s transitions between defense and offense. For example, if Atlanta is trying to play out of the back but the opposing team is pressing, a smart decision is to give Nagbe the ball so he can dribble out of pressure or find an outlet pass to move the ball upfield.

Without Nagbe, Remedi shoulders some of that responsibility now. Even if Vancouver don’t press Atlanta, Remedi is going to be a vehicle in which Atlanta transition from back to front. He is not as calm on the ball as Nagbe, but it seems de Boer will most likely utilize him in that manner anyway. We’ve already seen a shift in Remedi’s role on the field even with Nagbe beside him.

When Remedi joined Atlanta last summer, his role was simple: clog up the midfield for any opposing midfielder, win the ball, and send it on its way to a faster, more adept player with the ball at their feet. This was no more apparent than in the playoffs against New York City FC in which he completely shut down Maxi Moralez.

Now Remedi is utilized in both stopping opposing midfielders and helping keep possession. Without Nagbe on Wednesday, his role in possession is even more important. Even when Nagbe (most likely) returns against Red Bulls, Remedi will be important in both possession and destroying the midfield.