As Atlanta United, and MLS, develops deeper knowledge and use of data analytics, we’ll be taking a look behind the curtain at some of the specific stats the club values. In our new weekly content series, we examine one metric provided by StatsBomb that may not stand out on a first watch, but upon closer evaluation, is a useful tool to measure the team’s performance. This is Staying on Track presented by MARTA.
The headlines this week are all about Jay Fortune. The Atlanta United Homegrown was the hero Saturday night, scoring the game-winning goal against rival Charlotte FC. The stroke of Fortune secured three road points for Atlanta United and a key shutout in the team’s final leg of the season.
But there’s another Atlanta United name to jump off the stat sheet: fullback **Pedro Amador**.
In the most recent win over Charlotte, Amador put on a strong showing defensively. He made five tackles, tied for highest in MLS for the week. He added five interceptions, third highest in MLS this week. Amador’s 10 tackles + interceptions were the second-most for any player in MLS.
After the match, the fullback celebrated with a post to his Instagram story that showed he ranked in the top 10 in defensive duels, a stat tracked by MLS.
His defensive presence helped Atlanta United hold Charlotte FC to less than one expected goal on the night (0.9). The result of the collective defensive effort was Atlanta’s first clean sheet in MLS play since June 19 and the fifth clean sheet for the team in 2024.
Those ball-winning actions that Amador recorded is a metric Atlanta United highly values. As we learned with our story on Tristan Muyumba earlier this year, tackles and interceptions are not just important for keeping the opponent off the score sheet and limiting their chances – those actions can often lead to transition moments and chances for a team with an attack-minded playing style, like Atlanta United.
Amador arrived to Atlanta United during the secondary transfer window as a left fullback, taking the place held for two years by Caleb Wiley. Wiley moved overseas on a transfer to Chelsea in the English Premier League earlier this summer.
The Portuguese defender has slotted into the left fullback position quickly and seamlessly. He made his club debut during Leagues Cup in the meeting with D.C. United – he subbed on in the 76th minute. In Atlanta's next Leagues Cup match against Santos Laguna, Amador made his first career start for the club and played 71 minutes.
Atlanta United didn’t make it out of the group stage of Leagues Cup, which opened a three-week window without matches. The team called that stretch a “mini preseason,” which proved give Amador some valuable time to acclimate to his new team and backline. He then made his first MLS appearance in Atlanta’s road match against L.A. Galaxy. He played a full 90 minutes.
Prior to joining Atlanta United, the defender had a strong career in Portugal’s first and second divisions. He made 114 professional appearances. And at 25 years old, there’s upside in the fact that he has both experience and potential.
“I’m an intelligent player,” Amador said in his introductory press conference. “I can play good passes. Someone who likes to play with my teammates, and I think I’m a fast player.”
Offensively, Amador has shown glimpses of getting involved in the attack. During the match against L.A. Galaxy, the fullback contributed to one of Atlanta United’s best combinations. Xande Silva and Jay Fortune connected to set up Amador on an overlapping run toward the endline. The fullback played the ball across the goal to striker Jamal Thiaré lurking near the far post.
Thiaré tapped the ball in, but the goal did not count due to offsides. Still, the combination was one of the best plays of the night in Los Angeles. It’s a good example of how Atlanta United was able to keep pace with the leaders in the Western Conference for more than 60 minutes of the match – and a promising sign of Amador’s ability to contribute to both sides of the pitch.
Atlanta United's Data Scientist & Analyst Arjun Balaraman contributed to this story along with Data Engineer Akshay Easwaran. Atlanta United's Motion Graphics Producer and Video Editor Khoury Kennedy provided the video edit that accompanies this story.
