The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
UNITED TAKING SUCCESS CROWN FROM SEATTLE
Atlanta, the ‘bad pro sports town,’ keeps surprising league.
Seattle, once the model to copy in MLS, has argu- ably been passed by Atlanta United, which is recently experiencing more success on the field and at the turn- stile that its compatriots in the Northwest.
Matt Pentz, one of the best soccer journalists in the U.S., answered four questions about the game. Pentz (@ MattPentz) writes about the Sounders for The Athletic, ESPN FC and The Guardian.
Q: What has happened to Seattle’s offense this season?
A: Though the offensive struggles have been more extreme this season, the phenomenon isn’t new. Seattle has lacked for an elite-level goal scorer ever since Obafemi Martins left in early 2016. Too much of the onus was placed on Nico- las Lodeiro even during the run to back-to-back finals. With Jordan Morris out for the year with an ACL tear and Clint Dempsey having lost a step, that’s just been more obvious in 2017
Q: Is its the newest signing the answer, and how will he be used?
A: On paper, Raul Ruidiaz is exactly the type of player the Sounders have needed for a while now. Whether he’s used as the lone forward in
the 4-2-3-1 Brian Schmetzer has preferred or alongside Will Bruin in a revamped look, Ruidiaz provides an instant and reliable goal threat that will draw eyes away from Lodeiro and all of the others. Whether his addition alone is enough to save the season is another question — I remain skeptical — but Ruidiaz should be a really good signing in the long run.
Q: How does Seattle, which was the MLS attendance king, view Atlanta United and its totals?
A: With surprise, and with a touch of envy. Few in the Northwest expected Atlanta United to resonate at all in what had been stereotyped as a bad pro sports town, let alone on this level. Sound- ers fans are also coming to grips with no longer being the brightest, shiniest toy in MLS. The club has branded itself as the most ambitious, most innovative team in the league, but the fact is that it doesn’t have as deep a pockets as an owner like Arthur Blank has. In that, Seattle- ites are definitely a little bit jealous.
Q: What is the matchup to watch and how do you think it will go?
A: Josef Martinez versus the Sounders center backs. At 33, three-time-defender- of-the-year Chad Marshall is starting to show signs of age. Roman Torres is back from the World Cup but banged up. Kim Kee-Hee has looked a good signing but has yet to face off against a forward of Martinez’s caliber. I expect Martinez to ultimately break through and keep up his pace of nearly a goal per game; either way, it’ll be an instructive test for Seattle’s defense.
United pair selected for Homegrown team: Atlanta United’s Andrew Carleton and Lagos Kunga will par- ticipate in the MLS Home- grown Game on July 31 at the team’s training center in Marietta.
Carleton and Kunga are two of the 20 players who will compete against Tigres, from LIGA MX in Mexico, in the MLS All-Star week.
Carleton, 18 and a native of Powder Springs, has made four appearances for Atlanta United in MLS and seven for Atlanta United 2 in USL this season. The first Homegrown signing in Atlanta United history, this is Carleton’s second consecutive selection to the Homegrown Game.
Kunga, 19 and a native of Atlanta, has 14 appearances for ATLUTD2.
Atlanta United Academy Director Tony Annan will coach the Homegrowns. The All-Star Game will be played at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Aug. 1. The All-Stars will face Juventus.
Philadelphia leads the roster with four selections, which ties a record for the game.