ATL Standard

Atlanta United's preparation for their second match of their homestand included an open training session this Thursday. Head coach Ronny Deila, known for keeping training dynamic, led the team through passing drills that focused on one-touch play, before closing the session to media for more serious preparations.

Brooks Lennon noted the difference from the previous week, saying, “We didn’t do any fun drills today.” The focus remains on "the total load" approach, a strategy that Deila has emphasized in training sessions, considering both on-field activities and other aspects like gym work.

Commenting on the team's preparation, Deila stated, “We have more control now. We have talked, we have worked in groups. It’s clear where we want to go and how we want to train the team.”

The approach appeared effective as Atlanta United recently managed a comeback victory against New York City FC, overturning a two-goal deficit to win 4-3. It was the first time since September 2018 that the team had come back from such a deficit. Lennon noted, “This past game, we all would agree we felt physically our best, especially late in the second half.”

The 2-2 draw at FC Cincinnati earlier also demonstrated their ability to improve performance after halftime, leading Deila to highlight the team's five goals in the last two second halves. Tactical adjustments also played a role, with Saba Lobjanidze and Miguel Almirón switching positions to great effect against New York. When asked if these changes would appear again, Deila responded, “We’ll see what the game will bring.”

Their upcoming match features FC Dallas, including player Luciano Acosta. Acosta, the 2023 Landon Donovan MLS Most Valuable Player, is well known to Atlanta United due to his past with FC Cincinnati. “He’s dangerous, so we need to be aware of him at all times,” Lennon stated, emphasizing the challenge ahead.

Saturday's game also celebrates HBCU Night, with performances from an HBCU drumline and the Morehouse Glee Club. Despite the celebrations, the team is focused on earning three points, following their goal of securing all nine points from this homestand. Lennon expressed the importance of building on their recent performance, saying, “It’s super important to build off that win and second half performance.”

With confidence in their playing style and determination to improve further, the team is optimistic. As Deila remarked, “We have been the team. That has to give us confidence. Then, we also know that we have so much to improve, and that gets me excited.”