The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Guzan, Robinson return to full speed
They appear in fine form as United defeats San Jose.
Watching Atlanta United goalkeeper Brad Guzan and centerback Miles Robinson play in Saturday’s 2-1 win against San Jose at Mercedes-benz Stadium, it was like they never missed any time.
Both suffered ruptured Achilles last season that prematurely ended their seasons. Saturday’s season opener was their first meaningful action in nine months.
Robinson locked down anyone who came into his orbit, usually the speedy Cade Cowell. Guzan made three saves and gave a halftime talk to his teammates after they fell behind 1-0 in the opening 15 minutes.
“It felt great to be back out there,” said Guzan, the team captain. “It felt great to be with the guys. It felt great to play my part, do my job and help us get three points. Everyone was phenomenal (Saturday night) in terms of the work rate and just getting after it and not throwing the towel in.”
Watching Guzan and Robinson’s return was one of a few things that manager Gonzalo Pineda said made him feel really good during the game. The absences of both players last season contributed to the team failing to make the playoffs for the second time in three seasons.
“It’s a long time since they played an MLS game, and I’m sure the whole journey of those two, it’s very special for them to be back,” Pineda said. “Kudos to the trainers and all the people in the medical staff. They did an amazing job with them, day after day suffering the ups and downs of those type of injuries.”
Fullback Andrew Gutman said having both players sparked the team. He said Robinson made Cowell look slow. Guzan lifted the team after a frustrating first half in which it gave up a goal and missed a penalty kick.
“Sometimes at halftime you just kind of need a kick in the (pants), and Brad is that guy to give it to you, in a positive way,” Gutman said. “It’s not ‘I’m trying to knock you in any way, but bring that little energy, that little bite.’ ”
While Guzan and Robinson aren’t new faces, they seemed like new faces because of their absences. Three more players, Derrick Etienne, Miguel Berry and Luis Abram, made their true debuts for the team in the second half.
Etienne and Berry came on in the 56th minute. Abram came on in the 80th minute. Etienne won the free kick that resulted in Thiago Almada’s game-winning goal.
Pineda said he likes the movements of Berry and Etienne and he thinks the left side of the formation, which includes Gutman, will be very dangerous once they start playing together more.