Atlanta United's tactical issues against Inter Miami weren't new

someone bring him home

It could have been worse. Atlanta United didn’t get run off the field. In fact, take away one horrible giveaway from Bartek Slisz or the world’s gentlest-headed goal and we’re probably talking about how high-level that MLS regular season game was rather than slamming the panic button on Atlanta United’s season.

But, here you are, dear reader, stressing out. And that’s ok. No one would reasonably call that result fun. Four points after four games isn’t fun. Nothing feels fun right now. But, dear reader, I bring great news: It’s never been a better time to dive deeper into the pit of misery. I bring tidings of ok yeah I’m clearly stalling at this point, I’m just trying to put you in the right headspace for a conversation that isn’t going to make you feel good. The biggest upside right now is that the schedule will get a whole lot easier after Cincy this Saturday. The problem is that after four games of data, a clear trend is appearing. And it’s a genuine concern.

Atlanta United can’t figure out how to break a press

Four games into the season and Atlanta United can’t figure out the second half. The numbers bear that out. Per Fotmob, Atlanta’s xG differential in first halves this year is +0.54 per half. In second halves, that number changes to -0.75 per half.

If you’ve been following along with our rewatch notes columns after each of the first three games, you may have picked up on one reason why. Montréal didn’t change much about their defensive structure, but they did take a more aggressive second half approach to playing against the ball. Charlotte switched from a 4-4-2 mid-block to something closer to 4-2-4 with a much higher line of confrontation and a focus on marking Atlanta’s double-pivot. And Red Bulls made two halftime subs that helped keep Atlanta building out of the back when they got on the ball rather than operating in possession in the middle and final third. When tasked with countering out of a low block or building from a goal kick, the Five Stripes struggled.

You see it, right? Atlanta tries to build out of the back against teams who begin pressing or were already pressing and they can’t solve the problems that creates. So you shouldn’t be all that surprised when I show you…

Atlanta began the game with a clear tactical wrinkle in mind. Take a look at Brooks Lennon here.