MARIETTA – This week Atlanta United was back on the practice pitch following a 0-0 draw against New York Red Bulls on Saturday night. The match could be seen as Atlanta’s best defensive effort of the early season or as a consecutive match without a victory.
On Wednesday during training, Deila was the first person on the practice pitch and made a point of saying how nice the weather was. His team has failed to score a goal in its last two matches, a loss in Charlotte and last Saturday at home against New York Red Bulls, but did manage to start training on the bright side.
“Beautiful today, right? Atlanta United manager Ronny Deila asked a pair of reporters before training.
He was the first person on the practice pitch that morning and that was the end of the pleasantries for a moment, however. There was a different tone to training due to the immediacy in his voice during the first drill of the day.
“You have to think. Oh, my God. “Attack space, get it right,” said Deila.
On a particular passing drill that was executed with precision and pace to his liking, Deila was equally as quick to cheer on his team.
“Yes, well done. That’s good,” he said. “That’s the one. That’s the one.”
What’s Next:
What’s next for Atlanta will be a familiar foe with an axe to grind. Inter Miami CF will be in town on Sunday night. With or without Leo Messi, Inter Miami will be coming to Mercedes-Benz Stadium on either a high or a low. Cavalier S.C., the 2024 CONCACAF Caribbean Cup champions, hosted Inter Miami in the second leg of the team’s CONCACAF Champions Cup matchup on Thursday night in Kingston, Jamaica.
The Boys are Back
Atlanta United veteran right-back Brooks Lennon played in 35 matches in 2024. Following a season-ending injury, Lennon, who has been back at training the past couple of weeks, will be looking to play his first game of the season this week.
Deila has been good about using his bench during every match this season, including for the current starting right-back Matt Edwards. Lennon looked strong during training on Wednesday and that is a good thing since many of the Atlanta players will be off representing their respective countries during the international break. Atlanta will travel to Cincinnati that week and will need as many healthy bodies as possible.
Lennon said he was looking forward to getting back on the pitch against MLS competition. In his way is Matt Edwards, who has started at right back for the first three matches of the season. Lennon was complimentary of the way Edwards has been playing.
“I think Matt has done well, he’s a young kid and he’s gotten an opportunity, and I think he has done well,” Brooks said. “I’m happy for him.”
Pedro Amador played in his first match of the season last week, and his presence could immediately be felt in Atlanta’s defense. Amador, similar to Lennon, was injured and returned to the lineup quickly. Asked if he was looking forward to playing against Inter Miami, Amador, who answered his post-training questions in Spanish said he was looking forward to the match.
“Miami has a lot of incredible talent, but for us, we need to stay focussed on what we are trying to do,” Amador said.