Toronto FC vs Atlanta United: Can TFC Pass A Tough Test Against The AU Guys?

Posted By Kristin Knowles on Aug 4, 2018 in Analysis & Opinion, Match Previews & Reports, Uncategorized | 1 comment

Toronto FC vs Atlanta United ~ 4pm ET ~ Mercedes-Benz Stadium ~ TSN4

Four wins in a row!  Close the entire team is healthy!  Jozy scored a goal!  Wheeee!!  Everything’s coming up TFC!  It’s been a good couple of weeks in Toronto FC land – a much needed run of good form, no injuries, goal scoring and so on.  Regardless of the opponents, stringing together multiple wins is always a good thing and boy did TFC need those wins.  And not just because they advanced to the Voyageurs Cup Final, or gained a bit of ground in the standings, but really because it allows the team something to build off of, to have those familiar positive feelings resonate in the locker room and on the pitch.  Their next two games in MLS are two of the most difficult – and important – that they’ll play so far this season; first up are the AU Guys.

Atlanta is annoyingly good this season; they’re the best team in the league, have very good home and away records, and oh yeah, they’ve got Josef Martinez, he of the 24 goals.  You couldn’t ask for a more difficult test for Toronto to face as they try to dig themselves out of the Eastern Conference basement.  Atlanta have only lost once in their past eleven games, which is daunting enough, but there’s also the sheer size of the stadium and crowd at their home field – sure Toronto have played on big stages before (and several times this season), but it’s intimidating all the same. The hope is that they feed off of that energy instead.

The teams have only ever played to a draw – both 2-2 results in their two meetings last season, today’s match could very well be the same, as both teams have lots of scoring options as well as solid defences. I doubt that there will be a clean sheet for either team. The key will be containing Martinez and his partner Miguel Almiron – they are the most dangerous and potent pairings in MLS right now.  Atlanta have speed and a free flowing game, TFC will need to be extra aware on the wings and be vigilant on set pieces.

Random Thoughts

1. Don’t get hurt – that’s the main thing – stay healthy!
2. Mark the hell out of Josef Martinez. Give him even a little space and he’s already scored.
3. Give the ball to Jozy – his size and presence in the box can wreak all kinds of havoc, as well as drawing defenders away from Seba so that he has room to manoeuvre.
4. If Auro is healthy (and rumours are that he is), give him the start. His speed and defensive awareness on the right could be critical for this match.
5. If Auro isn’t healthy put Morrow on the right and Morgan on the left. I love Ash but he’s much better on the left and Justin can handle the left
6. Delgado or Oso? That’s the big question for me. Marky was a huge difference maker last weekend, but then again Oso’s the team’s top goal scorer. It will likely be Oso unless Vanney decides to go with the 4-4-2 (which could be a good thing)
7. This is the most important game they’ve played this season – a true test as to where they are as a team, playing one of the best teams should raise their game to the level we know they can play at.

This one should be an intriguing battle between the champs and the upstarts. Expect goals, expect a lot of movement, and expect a lot of emotion – this one has the hallmarks of a great match. I’m sticking with my podcast prediction of 2-2.