Strong offense allows defense to shine

Five Stripes see results of compact play and better communication.

Atlanta United’s focus on defense is proving wise through its first two MLS matches, with Orlando City coming up Sunday.

The attention to staying compact and forcing opponents to try to play down the flanks has resulted in the team posting the fourth-lowest expected goals against (2.5) and tied for sixth in goals allowed (2), according to fbref.com

“If we defend better, we attack better,” winger Xande Silva said.

On offense, the team has the eighth-highest expected goals scored (3.7) and is tied for third in goals, with four.

Atlanta United vs. Orlando City, 7 p.m., 92.9

“I think a big emphasis for us this whole year is going to be the better we can defend, the more compact we can be ... the better off we’re going to be because, as you saw, our attacking players are quite dangerous, and they don’t need many chances to bury a team,” midfielder Dax McCarty said.

After Atlanta United held off New England for the first 20 minutes Saturday, it created and exploited gaps in New England’s lines to create two penalty kicks and two more goals. Giorgos Giakoumakis scored three goals and was named the MLS

Player of the Week. He also was called up Tuesday by Greece for its Euro qualifying match against Kazakhstan on March 21.

In the last 135 minutes played, Atlanta United limited Columbus and New England to one goal and 17 shots, including 10 from inside the 18-yard box.

McCarthy said as part of the focus on staying more compact the team has worked on improving communication, so all 11 players are filling gaps and working to make the opponent play down either side of the field.

“It’s going to take a full concerted effort of every guy on the field to make sure that they’re communicating at all times,” he said. “I think that was something that was an issue last year.”

The work hasn’t been perfect. Concentration lapsed on the two goals United has allowed.