Atlanta United at Columbus: How to pretend like you know what you're talking about for Matchday 1

We're here to fix your social anxiety. At least for a couple of hours on Saturday.

via Atlanta United

It’s difficult to make an MLS match preview work. Most people follow Atlanta United and only Atlanta United. And any predictions you try and make are immediately mitigated by the fact that MLS gonna MLS. So here’s how we’re going to frame it: We’re going to give you the tools to sound like the smartest person in the room in whatever room you happen to be watching the game. Whether that’s a big watch party or your house or in a chat room on the internet, we’re going to try and get you prepared. So get your mind right. This is more about you than it is about me. 

ONCE THE STARTING LINEUP IS RELEASED SAY: “Wow, it’s interesting to see Atlanta go with [starting center back] and [starting goalkeeper].” 

We’re starting out with a bit of a tricky one, but that’s just how much we believe in you. What we don’t believe in is feeling 100% confident about Atlanta United’s starting XI right now. There are two big questions heading into Saturday and we don’t have a clear answer on either. We do have gut feelings though.

Derrick Williams started Atlanta’s final three preseason games at center backs. Luis Abram improved over the course of last season but never seemed to truly make a notable impact on games. Abram is a tough player to gauge, but that’s a different article for a different day. For now, let’s focus on Williams. Gonzalo Pineda said he’s liked a few things from the 31-year-old this preseason.

“One, I think he has a lot of experience in the league and outside of the league,” Pineda said. “His aggression in general on and off the ball I think is another one I’ve liked. And then his ability to communicate to the backline and to lead that area.”

Of course, Pineda didn’t say outright who would start. On Thursday morning, it didn’t seem entirely clear if anyone with the team knew quite yet. Giorgos Giakoumakis discussed improving defensively thanks to new DP center back and whoever he plays beside, “whether that’s Derrick Williams or Luis Abram.” 

The same goes for the starting goalkeeper. Pineda has gotten pretty decent at deflecting lineup questions over the last couple of years and it’s not even really worth digging into his comments on Brad Guzan’s potential to start on Saturday. But maybe it does mean something that Pineda didn’t outright declare him the starter. Maybe it doesn’t mean literally anything and Guzan is the clear starter ahead of new signing Josh Cohen. No one in the organization seems to be willing to give a definitive answer either way. 

WHEN COLUMBUS HAS THE BALL SAY: “It’s always wild to see how much risk they take in buildup.”