The world loves to see the shining stars on each team and laud the striker who scored the winner, and often he should be praised for being the savior. That wasn't last night. Atlanta United won. Jamal Thiaré and Brad Guzan didn't win. Atlanta won. While it took some extraordinary performances, the entire team came together and executed the match plan to pull out a remarkable win that, contrary to what the media has been saying, I felt was unlikely but perfectly plausible after game 2.
The TEAM Won
This was the most promising aspect of the match from my perspective, the entire starting 11 and all 5 subs stepped up on the big stage and fought for a long, long game against one of the most talented MLS teams of all time. It was by no means a perfect performance from everyone but, when it mattered, players came up big and the full-team defensive push for the last ~20 minutes held on.
On the offensive side, there were also definitely some heroes on the night, but 5 players directly contributed to at least one goal and nearly everyone helped in the build-up and setting off our counters. There was a different mentality and energy to this match from previous weeks. For better or for worse, we play up and down to opponents. It's hard not to be hyped for a win-or-go-home game against Messi and the team brought that energy and fight for all 90+ minutes. Hopefully, we will be able to keep up that momentum in Orlando.
Jamal, Pedro, and Alexey
While it was a team performance, there were some obvious stars from the game. Jamal Thiaré was the hero striker with a 3-minute brace (his first brace since March against Chicago Fire). Pedro Amador continued his absurd run of form with yet another assist (now his fifth game in a row with an assist). And Alexey Miranchuk got a vital assist that was just one of several perfectly weighted long balls or perfect quick passes cutting up the defense. While not a perfect game, Miranchuk showed some of why he cost 15 million dollars last night.
All three players really showed their class when it mattered and were the spark that helped lead this team to another huge win. They were still only 3 of the 5 players with direct goal contributions, though. It really was a huge performance from so many guys.
Brad and Dax
If you felt like I had some major oversights while some heroes of the match in the last section, you were right. Dax McCarty and Brad Guzan were two more players with hall-of-fame performances. Dax's effect on the game was immense all over the field from assisting Atlanta's opener to closing down the spaces in between the lines that Messi loves to operate in. He was arguably the most influential player in the game and even the commentators couldn't help but notice how much more space there was in the backline after the MLS veteran's exit. On a side note, it has to be cool to know there was a very real chance any of the past 4 games could've been your last and fight for the win to hold off retirement one more game.
Brad Guzan. What a performance. Atlanta's only remaining player from the inaugural season came up absolutely huge again. There really isn't any other way of saying it. Someone has to build him a statue. The mother-loving wall had 7 big saves against 25 shots and that doesn't include all of his aerial claims, clearances, and help on the ball. While he didn't manage to blank Messi all three games, there isn't much he can look back on with any anger or disappointment. The mental frustration of seeing him deny you over. and over. and over. has to be crazy. Messi has scored 844 goals in his career. Atlanta United has 407 MLS goals all time. And it took 245 minutes, 17 shots, and a random back post header to score on Brad in the playoffs. And that doesn't even mention the ex-U.S. national team keeper stymying Luis Suarez for the two must-win games.
Both Brad Guzan and Dax McCarty were phenomenal in the game and should be a great argument for the importance of having some veterans in the lineup and a great mentality. Neither player has any right to boss the game around like that. But they did.
So...Rob?
Lastly, did Rob Valentino just win himself some more time on the throne? He has now pulled out several impossible feats to get into the playoffs, then beat Montreal barely on penalties, then kill the obnoxious, pink giant way outside of Miami. The main aspect of the games that has started to get me on the Rob train is the mentality of the guys. Under Pineda, the team would be flat from 85 minutes and then maybe turn it on in garbage time when we realize we're going to lose. The team hasn't started every game perfectly under Valentino but after a few minutes to settle into the game, they are typically good to go. The squad just feels like they care more and are more ready to play under Rob. He also just seems nice. The team appears to really like him and that is a big deal.
I am still not necessarily sold on the Rob train but I also wouldn't be that upset if we decided to give him a shot next season. It's got to be a tough decision for the front office to ponder. I would keep looking but the bar for who I hire would have just gone up a lot. If you can find someone really exciting, go for it. If none of the candidates are setting the world on fire, Rob seems like a great option.
Now, Atlanta just has to go beat an imminently fatherable team down in Orlando. We did it less than a month ago. Let's do this ATL!
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