Episodes
Thursday Apr 29, 2021
The one where momma said there'd be games like this
Thursday Apr 29, 2021
Thursday Apr 29, 2021
1: Hyndman with a great extended tackle in the 18th. Tremendous half volley strike in the 32nd.
Tremendous defensive work. Tremendous offensive work. Hyndman was everyone tonight and was surprisingly our most threatening player on the ball. He was tremendous.
2: Damm was not having success with the dribble. I’d rather see him play the ball out in front and sprint after it to the end line and then either cross it in or cut in for the dribble towards goal as opposed to trying to penetrate the box towards center.
3: This was the most dominant 1st half we have seen so far. Philly created nothing. Surprisingly possession was only 65%. I mean that’s good but it really felt like more. We absolutely controlled the game and dominated the ball. Any possession #nosteppy had was mostly in their own end. It was really only gifts from us that lead anything threatening from the union and those gifts were few and far between. They did not look at all ready to play a team that wanted the ball. If not for Andre Blake standing on his head, we’re up 2. Unfortunately Philly was able to absorb and survive and capitalized on their few chances.
4: I did like the Cubo sub after going down. I liked Heinze going for it. It’s risky trying to push for that goal because a 2nd or 3rd away goal changes everything. But I think Heinze said in a previous presser that we don’t play to draw. Unfortunately tonight we were undone but I still agree with the decision and style of play even tho it did not go our way tonight.
5: Momma said there’d be games like this. Of course I’m disappointed with the result. Of course it’s worse because it’s champions league and from within our own leaguein our own house. This was the first time we lost at the benz by 3. But I thought our response after each goal was good. We just couldn’t finish. It does happen. We found the spaces. We created the spaces. Sometimes it just doesn’t come off. I just don’t know what else we could have done to bag a goal.
Sunday Apr 25, 2021
The one where pink is already the love we've discovered
Sunday Apr 25, 2021
Sunday Apr 25, 2021
4-24 Chicago Fire
1: Barco out there working on that transfer fee. It’s a ridiculous goal and one that goes sailing over the bar in previous iterations of Barco. For the first time we are seeing real consistency out of little boat. He’s still getting chopped down like a tree in the Amazon, but we’re not seeing his frustrations with that take over. Goals will do that for a player.
2: Heinze has figured out something that FDB was never able to do, how to be a threat without Josef. Grant it, we have different players and there’s also fans in the stands but still, the attack is very encouraging. God help the league when the Salmon King starts producing goals consistently.
3: The Chicago goal is an embarrassing one to give away. Fortunately we were able to rally and continue to assert dominance and control. Switching off in silly moments can be a game killer but there’s something different about this team this year. There’s a joy, a freedom and a ton of confidence on display. We are already seeing a collective understanding in the squad. They understand each other. They understand the coach and the coach understands them. 2020 was a damn fluke. This is the Atlanta United we recognize.
4: There should be ZERO concerns about Josef. He was up for it tonight and it was the most active we have seen him in his kill zone. I saw no hesitation from him and he very nearly had a brace if not for some last ditch defending from the fire. For the 25 mins he was on I thought he contributed a lot and he hit a great long ball.
5: Heinze! He’s becoming the 13th man. He’s showing his passion and his intensity. It’s crucial to our success. He’s on the field with them! The wins and losses are as much on him as it is the players. I think he’s our kind of coach. Loved the leap into the air after the 3rd goal.
Sunday Apr 18, 2021
The one where father is kind to his kids
Sunday Apr 18, 2021
Sunday Apr 18, 2021
1: Barco even putting in tackles now to win the ball back. I continue to be really happy with pretty much everything he is doing. When Josef is fully back I think lil boat is gonna be even more of a handful for teams as they all Josef watch.
2: Heinze with a bit of gamesmanship after that no foul on Pato in the box. The ball went out of play and he quickly grabbed it and tossed into the arms of an Orlando player to try to expedite the throw in to hopefully prevent a review form happening. Like I said, there was no foul and that probably seems like a small thing but what it shows me is a coach who is 100% dialed into the entirety of the game and is looking for any advantage. I just really really like the level of engagement we are getting from Heinze. I feel much more comfortable with him Heinze even if we’re not clicking in a game. I trust him to always be working to solve the problem.
3: Lennon has satellite guided accuracy. Great first touch. Great control. He needs Lisandro in space. I think he can be even better than what Gressel was for us if he can sync up Pacific Rim style with Lisandro/Josef. He’s more athletic than Gressel and his fitness level is other worldly. He can do full 90 shifts twice a week for weeks on end if necessary.
4: Sosa the enforcer. He is aggressive in winning the ball back and clean and calm with it at his feet. He’s been featured in each pod so far and that’s probably gonna continue to be the case. Besides Josef coming back and hopefully having somewhere around a 20 goal season, he’s gonna be the talking point of the season.
5: Overall pretty happy with the performance and a draw is probably a fair result. Statistically it was split nearly dead even in terms of possession, shots, shots on target, and chances created. There are things we need to improve on. Corners continue to be a problem for us. They seemingly always have been despite the roster or the coach. We give away far too many free headers. The final pass/goal isn’t quite there. I’m not concerned about our finishing because that’s just going to get sharper and come with reps. Defensively, i think we’re seeing good things. We haven’t conceded a goal and we are not just sitting in a low block and bunkering. We’re getting forward, we are exposed at the back at times, but we recover well most of the time. It can’t be perfect all the time. The opposition is always going to have a couple chances but they’ve been limited and mostly snuffed out.
Good to have fans. Can’t wait to be home next weekend.
Thursday Apr 15, 2021
The one where our boat is not stuck
Thursday Apr 15, 2021
Thursday Apr 15, 2021
1: We started off the match on the front foot. We were lively and creating chances straight away but I feel like Ala lolled us to sleep a bit because after about the 15th minute they really came alive. Full credit to them too. They’re down 6 key starters due to COVID restrictions and they still acquitted themselves very well. Maybe it motivated them. This was not an easy match. I saw some score predictions on Twitter of a multi goal win for Atlanta tonight and I just didn’t think we were ever gonna run away with this thing, even with Ala’s roster issues. They’re still a top club in their league and anyone who plays for them is a talented professional capable of playing good football. It wasn’t like they were gonna not show up and get totally run over.
2: Games like these, where you kind of have to grind out a win or a result can in some ways be even more important and impressive than the flashy wins where the goals are just flowing like the suez canal with coherent boat captains. We were not in sync tonight in going forward. There’s gonna be games where it’s just not clicking fully, but being able to find a way through anyhow is extremely important. We had to find a way through in the last match too. It was different circumstances sure, but the mentality is the same. You gotta be like life in Jurassic park and find a a way. We did.
3: I know our defensive numbers looked good and Ala only had one real shot on goal but I still found myself nervous at times especially on the left with Bello. He had his hands full all night and he just seemed to get beat a number of times. Still, he had like 4 tackles on the night and ultimately nothing he was maybe a step behind on lead to anything meaningful. Fortunately we’ve also got Walkes on the left and he has been absolutely outstanding. He had a 100% passing completion rate. #NotATypo. 82/82 is ridiculous. He has and continues to make the case for himself. His time across the pond has served him well.
4: #ThatsMyBarquito. Barco out there DOIN WORK. You can just tell by his effort and output how much this year means to him. He knows what’s riding on it and he’s really showing up so far. He’s dynamic on and off the ball, he’s been involved in both goals and plenty of chances created. In short, little boat is steaming along.
5: Damn it’s good to see and hear fans again. I got a little emotional as I was listening to and watching the game as I could on set. I know it was limited capacity but you could hear all the chants loud and clear. When soccer left us last year it left a massive void. I didn’t realize just how much of my life revolves around the beautiful game until it was gone. I know it’s like Jürgen Klopp said “Football is the most important least important thing” but damn it’s good to have it back and with fans because without fans, the game is nothing. Football for me has never been about the actual game but about the friends you make and the memories you create together. That’s the beauty of the game for me. So To making memories through football. Long may it continue. Cheers.
Wednesday Apr 07, 2021
The one where we are living Rocco's goal saving life
Wednesday Apr 07, 2021
Wednesday Apr 07, 2021
1: Pretty pleased with our overall shape especially defensively. Apart from Guzan having to come off his line in the 33rd and then channeling his inner LGP and coming off in the 42nd , I didn’t feel too nervous when Ala got forward. Yes the 2nd half was more of a scramble at times but that’s to be expected when we’re down a man and the opposition is throwing everything forward. Sosa and Walkes were very good. Sosa’s performance in particular makes me feel better about our cover on CB. He can also be pretty tidy and clever on the ball. The whole back line seemed in sync most of the time, catching Ala offside a handful of times.
2: Games like this can reveal a lot about the character of the team. I though we showed grit and determination by not losing our heads after going down to ten. We still created chances and remained an attacking threat. This was a whole team performance.
3: Coaching styles between Heinze and FDB are night and day. Players seemed to understand their roles better. I attribute that to training being more detailed with more specific instructions given. We’ve definitely heard that from the players during their various media availabilities. Heinze was engaged up on the touch line the whole game. He wasn’t quite as animated as the Ala coach, barking out orders non stop, but anytime the camera cut to Heinze you could see him analyzing and giving out very specific instructions and encouragement. I love the Josef sub as well. Up a goal with ten men Heinze could have just saved him and decided to sit back, absorb the pressure and just try get out. It sends a clear message to the team and the fans. Let’s get it, let’s go!
4: We got a little fortunate with the PK, but, take what is given. Barco is still not the most confident PK taker, but, take what is given. He made up for his defensive mistake that Guz in a bad spot. This is a make or break season for lil boat and it was a good start for him. Now he needs to stay healthy and stay consistent.
5: I know it’s a school night, but have a night Rocco, have a night. Guzan best had the beers ready and on ice. It’s tough coming on as a sub especially in a position like keeper where you fully don’t expect to see the field. Especially when you’re just 19 years old. Especially when you’re signed to just a 4 day contract. The young man stepped up. He was brave when he needed to be and commanded his area well. Opportunities like that can really change/accelerate the trajectory of a career. I imagine this is not the last time we will Rocco in the first team this year and beyond.