Rewatch notes: Atlanta United at Columbus Crew, Feb. 24, 2024

Tiny soccer brain doing its best

via Atlanta United

After every match, we’re going to do our best to dig into the tactics and personnel that defined the weekend’s action. It’s tough to notice those things when you’re stressed out during the actual game, so we like to take a couple of days to rewatch, take notes and try and understand the part of the game that’s not played on a spreadsheet a little better. It’s not what you’d call an exact science, but at least we’re trying. 

A few critical things stood out on rewatch that need to color everything we talk about going forward. The most important thing you need to realize is that the Crew are a got-dang juggernaut. They did all of the typical Wilfried Nancy things in possession, pressed effectively and had about as sharp a first half as you can in your first match of the year. This is the best team in the league right now. And a road trip to the best team in the league means Atlanta likely just played their toughest game of the year. 

But the Crew faded in the second half. They lost wingback Mo Farsi to an injury on the Stian Gregersen penalty and they lost their legs. Columbus had two fewer weeks of preseason after winning MLS Cup. In the first half, their roster continuity helped them pick up right where they left off in the quality of their play. In the second half, their lack of fitness started to show.

Ok, hopefully that provides a decent framework for what we’re going to say about Atlanta. Because as good as Columbus played in the first half, Atlanta did a lot that made life easier for the Crew. Because as tired as Columbus looked in the second half, Atlanta did a lot that made life a lot more difficult for the Crew. 

BUILDING BLOCKS AGAINST THE BLOCKHEADS 

The specific and pretty minor thing I want to complain about

I want to start with a small tactical decision that I’m going to openly complain about even if it ever starts working.