After a double matchweek on the road against D.C. United and St. Louis CITY SC, Atlanta United will be back at home for their last match of June. On Saturday, June 19, they will face off against their foes from the North, Toronto FC, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
The 5-Stripes managed to get four out of six points while away and look to carry the strong play they have demonstrated on the road at home.
Goalkeeper Brad Guzan and homegrown Noah Cobb spoke to local media on Tuesday about the recent good results on the road, the growth of Atlanta United homegrowns, and how to prepare for Toronto in the middle of a busy schedule.
Brad Guzan
The 5-Stripes now have a record of 2-0-1 in their last three road matches. A team that is normally dominant at home has found a strong recent form playing away. During media availability, goalkeeper brad Guzan said the key to replicating that success at home is making sure to create “more good chances than you are giving up”.
Limiting the opposition can be a difficult task not only game to game but throughout a busy season as well. The summer of soccer is not slowing down anytime soon; starting with the match against Toronto, Atlanta United will play six matches in 18 days.
“One of the most important things is being able to rest and recover mentally and physically. So that when you step on the field for the next game, you are ready to go,” said Guzan when asked about how the team can stay focused while playing such a congested schedule.
With injuries and changes to the roster, every player has needed to step up for the club to continue to try and get good results. A big part of Atlanta’s backline is now made up of Atlanta United homegrowns. On Saturday, against St. Louis, Atlanta went with a back line of Caleb Wiley, Efrain Morales, Derrick Williams, Noah Cobb, and Brooks Lennon. Three of those players have been with the organization since they were teenagers. As not only an MLS veteran, but a player that has been around since the 5-Stripes inaugural season, Guzan has seen the growth amongst the young players firsthand.
“It is exciting to see them take that next step in terms of performing and playing at high level,” said Guzan. “You hear about these kids through the coaches and then you see it come to fruition on the field.”
From being a rookie himself to being an MLS veteran. Guzan's long career is one that many players dream of, including representing his country in international play. Guzan has been capped by the United States Men’s National Team many times, making his debut Feb. 19, 2006 in a friendly against Guatemala. He has been a part of the USMNT squad for the 2010 and 2014 World Cups, 2007 and 2015 CONCACAF Gold Cups, as well as the 2007 Copa America and 2016 Copa America Centenario, where he was the starting keeper.
It would only be fitting that he was recognized as the USMNT practices at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta Training Ground before Thursday's Copa America match against Panama. As the 641st player to earn a cap by the national team, Guzan was given a jersey to commerate his time on the team.
Noah Cobb
One of the homegrowns that has taken a large step this year is center back Noah Cobb. As a player that went through the Atlanta United system starting with the U-12 team, Cobb only knows 5-Stripes soccer. But he did not take that journey on his own.
“I think it’s really cool because we have known since, we were like 14 or 15,” said Cobb when asked about playing with fellow homegrowns Caleb Wiley and Efraín Morales. “And now that we are out there, we look to our left and right and we see those guys – it still feels like it did at the Academy. It is a really special feeling.”
Cobb made his second consecutive start for the club back in March against Chicago Fire FC. The 3-0 victory is the last time the team has won at home. Despite the good play away from Mercedes-Benz Stadium, the team does think it is important to continue that in front of 17s.
“Yeah, I think it's just bit of a mentality thing. Like when we go on the road, we know it's going to be a fight, it's going to be, you know, the other team might have the ball at times. And I think at the Benz (Mercedes-Benz Stadium), we always want to dominate, dominate dominate,” said Cobb. “And at times, if there's a spell in the game where the other team has the ball, we might get a little discouraged and I think it's just applying that same mentality that we have on the road to the home games.”
Atlanta United will look to get their first home win since March on Saturday against Toronto FC. Fans not going to the match can catch all the action, including the 7:30 p.m. kickoff, on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV.
