The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
United wins exhibition 4-0, moves in ‘positive direction’
Tyler Wolff and Luiz Araujo continued their solid play during the preseason in Atlanta United’s 4-0 win over the Georgia Revolution on Sunday at the Turner Soccer Complex on the campus of the University of Georgia.
Wolff scored his second goal in two friendlies and added an assist, while Araujo scored and added his second assist in two games. Atlanta United’s next friendly will be against Mexico’s Celaya in Guadalajara on Feb. 6.
“We aren’t looking a lot at the score lines,” manager Gonzalo Pineda said. “It’s good to win. It’s good to score many goals. But I’m more focused on the behaviors, the tactical adjustments, patience on the ball and attacking on the flanks in our primary assist zones. The performance was OK. We are progressing in a positive direction.”
Pineda said he hoped to see intensity with the team’s pressure, particularly to limit the amount of time the Revolution had on the ball, distribution of the ball during build-up play, positioning when attacking, and consistent mentality.
“Try to be on the front foot, try to dominate the game and try to see a complete mentality,” he said. “I think we saw a little bit of that. Maybe at the end of both halves we didn’t continue
as attacking as much as we could have, but I’m very positive about the reaction of all the players.”
Atlanta United’s starting 11 for the first half was goalkeeper Brad Guzan; centerbacks George Campbell and Alan Franco; fullbacks Aiden Mcfadden and Andrew Gutman; midfielders Ozzie Alonso, Matheus Rossetto, Franco Ibarra, Luiz Araujo and Tyler Wolff; and striker Jackson Conway.
Not available for the game were midfielders Marcelino Moreno (injury), Jake Mulraney (green card), Jurgen Damm (finalizing loan
or transfer), Machop Chol (with South Sudan), Santiago Sosa (injury) and Emerson Hyndman (injury); fullbacks Brooks Lennon (injury), Ronald Hernandez (with Venezuela), Caleb Wiley (U.S. Under-20s) and George Bello (finalizing possible transfer); striker Josef Martinez (with Venezuela), and centerback Miles Robinson (with U.S.).
Although Atlanta United has yet to confirm their loans, Ezequiel Barco and Erik Lopez weren’t present, either.
Atlanta United took a 1-0 lead in the second minute on a goal by Wolff, whose header was assisted by Araujo. It was the second time in two scrimmages that Atlanta United jumped out to a quick lead. Atlanta United increased its lead to 2-0 on a goal by Araujo, who headed in a cross by Gutman in the eighth minute. Campbell made it 3-0 in the ninth minute, putting back a rebound of an Araujo shot.
The first half ended with Atlanta United outshooting the Revolution 11-2. Georgia goalkeeper Chris Banfi made six saves. Guzan made one. Araujo led with three shots.
Within the first 45 minutes, players switched positions rather liberally. Wolff and Araujo interchanged. Mcfadden sometimes moved forward as a second striker. Ibarra sometimes moved from the central midfield to the left. And unlike at times last season, when the players sometimes wouldn’t move when a teammate had the ball, players were often moving in triangles, forcing defenders to make decisions and move.
Atlanta United’s lineup in the second half was goalkeeper Dylan Castanheira; centerbacks Bryce Washington and Alex de John; fullbacks Mikey Ambrose and Luke Brennan; midfielders Amari Sejdic, Amari Fortune, Robbie Mertz, Darwin Matheus and Erik Centeno; and striker Daniel Bloyou. The second team scored in the 61st minute on a header by Bloyou, assisted by Centeno.