ATL Standard

After the scheduled portion of Atlanta United's training ends, players often stay behind for extra practice. Among them, key attackers work on shots, while wingers and fullbacks focus on crosses. Defenders engage in aerial drills. Competition surfaces naturally, as seen on Tuesday when players challenged goalkeepers Brad Guzan and Josh Cohen with their shots.

During these sessions, Guzan playfully teased Emmanuel Latte Lath, Jamal Thiaré, Tristan Muyumba, Rodrigo Neri, Xande Silva, and others for their attempts. After successfully scoring a goal, Latte Lath celebrated, while Muyumba almost scored against Cohen from a tricky angle. This interaction reflected the friendly yet competitive spirit among the players. As Muyumba concluded his session to address the media, Guzan humorously remarked, “Trist, let ‘em know, keepers on top!”

Atlanta United is intensifying efforts to achieve a decisive performance. They are preparing to face the New England Revolution on April 12, aiming for a consistent presence in attack and defense. The team has been striving to align its defensive fortitude with offensive prowess, having experienced mixed results in the past.

The training regime, established by coach Ronny Deila and his staff, emphasizes consistency. Recent sessions typically start with passing drills, followed by separate offensive and defensive exercises, and conclude with scrimmages.

In Tuesday's scrimmage, the midfield showcased an aggressive style, quickly challenging opponents like Miguel Almirón. Jay Fortune aims to secure his place with precise tackles.

Defensive aggression remains crucial. Luis Abram exemplified this with a successful but risky tackle during the game against FC Dallas, which prevented a potential goal. "If you know you’re going to get the ball, then there’s no doubt,” Abram stated. Abram stressed the importance of managing games effectively, saying, “That’s something that we’re working on in training. We have to be able to maintain that advantage for the whole game.”

Returning from injury, Tristan Muyumba is becoming a key player for Atlanta. His recovery was quicker than anticipated, and he is proving valuable on the field. "Sometimes you live some difficult moments, you get injuries, you have some issues," Muyumba acknowledged, emphasizing his readiness to adapt to game situations. Deila has consistently opted to start Muyumba since his first appearance on March 8.

Deciding who partners with Muyumba in midfield poses a challenge. Options include Bartosz Slisz, Mateusz Klich, Fortune, and Will Reilly. Each brings unique strengths. “No, it's just a simple conversation. He says he wants us to win duels, regain balls, play forward, play simple,” Muyumba shared about Deila's expectations.

Deila's flexibility in selecting team members provides strategic options. Yet, identifying a solid starting lineup remains crucial. As Muyumba's role becomes increasingly indispensable, Deila will continue to refine his choices for upcoming matches.