Atlanta has gained yet one more trophy – this time with exhausting fought victory over Minnesota on the U.S. Open Cup. ASN’s Brian Sciaretta provides his 4 ideas on the sport.
BY
Brian Sciaretta
Posted
August 28, 2019
7:00 PM
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ATLANTA UNITED defeated Minnesota 2-1 on Tuesday night time to win the 2019 U.S. Open Cup. After successful MLS Cup in December and the Campeones Cup earlier this month, it’s the third trophy inside 9 months the 5 Stripes.
The results of the sport was not a shock, however the best way by which it performed out was. Atlanta got here out on hearth and rating two fast targets early – first with an personal purpose from Chase Gaspar and the second from Pity Martinez. However simply when logic would counsel that Minnesota would roll over at that time, down by a number of targets in a hostile surroundings and with the common season nonetheless looming massive, the Loons as a substitute rallied.
The deficit was reduce in half early within the second half with a purpose from Robin Lod. Minnesota would proceed to maintain up the strain and when Atlanta’s Leonardo Gonzalez Perez was despatched off along with his second yellow within the 74th minute, it was all Minnesota. Minnesota had one golden probability to equalize in stoppage time however an in depth vary shot was flubbed by Michael Boxall.
Atlanta would certainly cling on and have fun yet one more piece of silverware in its first U.S. Open Cup. The win additionally ensured that Atlanta would play within the 2020 CONCACAF Champions League.
Listed below are 4 ideas on the sport
Martinez’s development has been spectacular
Pity Martinez was largely disappointing in his first few months with Atlanta. He didn’t get together with Frank de Boer and wasn’t match. He was visibly offended when he was subbed off. He was important within the press – particularly when chatting with Argentine media.
However over the previous six month, Martinez has plated distinctive soccer. He has lived as much as the expectations that include being named the South American Participant of the 12 months. The as soon as boring strategy of de Boer is beginning to open up and lead to targets and Martinez is a giant a part of that.
Within the remaining in opposition to Minnesota, Martinez didn’t simply rating the massive second purpose, he introduced a ton of enthusiasm to the sport and his teammates fed off of it.
With Martinez taking part in this properly, Atlanta is as soon as once more the staff to beat within the East and one which may have a preventing probability in opposition to Los Angeles FC in a possible MLS Cup.
Atlanta responded to de Boer
The All Star sport was an unsightly time for Atlanta. Gonzalez Perez was with the all star staff in Orlando and was important of the staff’s strategy below de Boer. After the break, de Boer responded that good groups don’t air their soiled laundry in public.
Since de Boer’s response, every part modified. Atlanta gamers have saved their mouth shut and have responded on the sector in taking part in as much as their expertise stage – not taking part in down. It was a second the place everybody realized they wanted to develop up.
The staff has since responded properly below de Boer and is taking part in very dominant soccer with out utilizing the media to disclose interior turmoil.
Robinson continues sturdy run
Former Philadelphia Union and present Austin Daring midfielder Amobi Okugo posed an fascinating query following the sport on Atlanta United central defender Miles Robinson.
If Tata stays does Miles have a breakout season???
— Amobi Okugo???????????????? (@amobisays) August 28, 2019
Robinson, 22, is rumored to be receiving his first U.S. nationwide staff call-up for September whereas additionally being eligible for the U.S. U-23 staff. The Massachusetts native was as soon as once more a robust presence for Atlanta within the Open Cup win and has been ceaselessly receiving reward from de Boer.
However to reply Okugo’s query, I imagine no. I don’t assume Tata Martino would have had the endurance to work with Robinson the best way de Boer has. Robinson performed simply 360 minutes final season below Martino. However below de Boer, Robinson is an every-game starter with 2348 minutes below his belt, to this point. At 6’2”, he brings dimension and a bodily edge. He wanted to have a coach who confirmed endurance in his passing out of the again, and de Boer has given him that.
If the rumors are true and Robinson will get a U.S. call-up, it is going to be deserved. Nonetheless, it’s going to exhausting to see him not shifting to the U-23s subsequent yr for Olympic qualifying as a result of he’s seemingly a starter on that staff and nonetheless in all probability a 3rd stringer on the complete nationwide staff with everybody wholesome.
Minnesota had a robust displaying
Minnesota shall be upset to not get the win, or no less than pressure additional time, however the staff must be pleased with its efficiency. This sport was additional proof of simply how far Minnesota has improved since final yr. Administration has added key gamers, different younger gamers have stepped up, and the result’s a staff that would make a run within the playoffs within the West.
Adrian Heath is doing an excellent job. A staff that isn’t properly coached would have collapsed after conceding two early targets in Mercedes Benz Stadium. Positive, it was puzzling that Darwin Quintero didn’t earn the beginning in opposition to Atlanta, however it nonetheless had all the possibilities it wanted to get a end result. It didn’t end, however it was a gutsy efficiency on the highway. More often than not that effort wins. However who would need to face this staff within the playoffs?