Atlanta United has a preseason game today

Here's what to watch for (maybe)

via Atlanta United

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Atlanta United will take on the USL-C’s Lexington SC. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. and the match will be streamed at ATLUTD.com/live

Don’t expect to learn a ton from this one. Atlanta hasn’t gotten deep into the tactical weeds yet at this point in preseason and we have no idea how many starters will play and if they’ll all play together etc. etc.

We don’t even know the format of the match yet. But there should still be a few things to keep an eye on.

Are there any hints to the preferred formation?

Just to be clear, if Atlanta comes out in a back three tomorrow, it doesn’t mean you can lock it in as their setup for opening day against Cincinnati. Preseason is for testing things out after all. But hey, it won’t mean absolutely nothing.

It’s also our chance to start looking at any potential flaws. We’ve laid out our theories on what the tactical issues might be with this team’s personnel, but now we’ll get to see them (or not) in practice.

Are they pressing?

Atlanta has been a pretty atrocious pressing team for…well, pretty much since Tata Martino left. They won’t be full throttle tomorrow, but it would at least be encouraging to see pressing that looks coherent. Just anything resembling a clear understanding of when and who to press would be a massive step forward after Ronny Deila’s tenure.

Our first look at the new guys

Goalkeeper Lucas Hoyas, defender Tomás Jacob and midfielder Adrian Gill should all be set to play tomorrow. It will be our first look at Atlanta’s three newest players. Jacob is a U22 initiative signing and the most notable addition this offseason. His most likely position is as a right back, but he can play as center back and a No. 6 as well.

Sam and Joe

That’s all for what’s on the field really. We’ll be reporting at the training ground tomorrow, so keep an eye out for a podcast and other reporting from the match. Oh, and if you haven’t joined the Discord yet, we’ll be talking about everything in there as it happens.