Atlanta United have had an impressive run to the end of their inaugural season, losing just once since August 26. But that doesn’t mean their Audi 2017 MLS Cup Playoffs bout against Columbus Crew SC on Oct. 26 will be a foregone conclusion (7 pm ET; ESPN2, UniMás in US | TSN4, TVAS in Canada).
The Five Stripes have shown where they can be exposed and it will be up to Columbus to learn from Atlanta’s opponents, irrespective of the results of such matches, and apply them in their upcoming contest.
Below are the three items Columbus should be keying in on if they are hoping to take down ATLUTD.
Attacking behind Atlanta’s outside backs
It is no secret that ATLUTD head coach Tata Martino likes his squad to commit numbers forward – especially his outside backs (in a back four or even in a back five). In response to this, Columbus could simply try and pin Atlanta’s left and right defenders in their own defensive third by positioning attackers high and wide.
However, it would be an even better to set out and turn Atlanta’s desire to send such players forward against them. Just like we see below, Crew SC should invite their opposition’s outside backs forward only to turn around and exploit the very space they vacate.
Set pieces, set pieces, set pieces…
Atlanta, in just the last three games alone, have shown they are vulnerable to set pieces of all shapes and sorts. Below is a compilation of quick restarts and set pieces from all over the field that Atlanta have looked shaky as they tried to defend.
Columbus will need to not only create such opportunities, but put in the time ahead of the match in training sessions to be ready to execute when these dead ball situations inevitably come up.
Transitions
It is not an exaggeration to say that defending transitions is the single most important piece of playing against Atlanta. With or without Miguel Almiron, they are a side that thrive on counterattacks.
Just take a look at the sequence below. Once Atlanta are able to win the ball back, they look to go the other way – whether it’s with a dribble into space or connecting a pass to a player streaking forward.
Preventing this type of counterattack by defending Atlanta in transition moments is in fact how D.C. United, a team who beat Atlanta all three times this season, were able get results against a team with superior talent.
What’s more though, Atlanta can be caught overcommitting in these instances. If Columbus can win the ball in these pivotal spots, they will have a ton of luck catching Atlanta ill-equipped to properly defend just like the sequences below.
It may feel like Columbus are underdogs going into this match. There is no such thing as a guaranteed result though, and this is especially true in a playoff match. If Crew SC – a well-coached and tactically-disciplined team – can take care of the points outlined above, I like their chances.
