The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Robinson, Guzan likely to play for Five Stripes in friendly
Centerback Miles Robinson and goalkeeper Brad Guzan are available to participate for Atlanta United in today’s friendly at Chattanooga, manager Gonzalo Pineda said.
Both players suffered ruptured Achilles tendons in separate MLS games last season.
They have been fully participating in the team’s training sessions, but Pineda wouldn’t say if that means the players are on track to start the season-opening game against San Jose on Feb. 25.
“They look pretty good,” he said. “At times it’s hard for me to pull them out of training sessions, but we have to remember they were out for a long time, and we have to be careful with those two. So at times, I’ve been pulling them out of session, even though they are looking great. It’s not because they cannot do something; it’s because we have to manage their load back to normal.”
Fullback Andrew Gutman said having Guzan in the lineup is important to the defense. Guzan appeared in only seven of 34 games last season.
“Brad holds everyone accountable,” Gutman said. “You know, and just his presence, and his voice makes you a little bit more aware.”
Pineda said the first 11 — he didn’t want to call them starters because the team is still working to add three players — likely will play for 45 minutes. A second group, which will include some players from the team’s academy, will play in the second 45.
The proposed time played is a slightly different approach than last year, when potential starters’ minutes were increased incrementally until the season-opening match. The change is happening because the team already played an intrasquad scrimmage last weekend, so the first group of players has some minutes.
Pineda said the most important thing he wants from today is no injuries. With the exception of Ozzie Alonso (recovering from ACL), Ajani Fortune and Derrick Etienne, everyone is healthy. Santiago Sosa suffered a finger injury during training that required a cast, but Pineda described it as not serious. Etienne has been doing a mix of some individual work and some with the team as he recovers from an injury suffered with Columbus last season.
The second thing Pineda said he wants to see today is a good shape and effort from the team on defense. He said they have worked very hard on forming a solid middle block that makes it tough for opponents to penetrate through lines. Guzan and Robinson, who appeared in nine matches last season, should help. A middle block is a defensive tactic to protect the field’s middle third.
The third thing Pineda hopes to see is good buildout play from Guzan and others on the back line, a group that should include Juanjo Purata, Brooks Lennon and Andrew Gutman.
Gutman said the team will continue to try to dominate possession and break Chattanooga’s lines.
Pineda didn’t speak directly to shot selection Friday, but it’s something he mentioned last week. He wants the team to take higher-percentage shots. Though it finished third in MLS in expected goals (55.8), it finished tied for last in goals per shots on target (26%). Quality over volume may be key.