Atlanta United will be back on the pitch Wednesday after losing 3-1 to Orlando City SC on Saturday and will be looking to return to its winning ways in the first ever matchup against Inter Miami CF.
Ahead of Wednesday’s matchup, we broke down the Tools to the Match, presented by The Home Depot.
Learn from the Loss
In Saturday’s loss against Orlando, Atlanta United came out with its youngest starting 11 in the team’s history. The team struggled to produce in the first half and was stymied by Orlando’s press. Atlanta adjusted at the half and came back ready to fight but was unable to overcome the scoring deficit.
“I think in the first half, we didn’t cope with their shape in midfield. We didn’t cope with the way they pressed us and the way they were using the ball. We managed to fix that in the second half,” Interim Head Coach Stephen Glass stated in his post-match press conference. “A couple of substitutions, a couple of positional changes helped us. There were things that if you have been working with a group for several months it’s easier to fix on the fly. It took until we got into halftime for us to fix it tonight.”
With Wednesday’s loss behind them, Atlanta will look to bounce back against Inter Miami. The 5-Stripes will get ready to battle for 90 minutes on Wednesday and are 5-1-1 in home matches following a loss.
Take Advantage of Miami’s Inexperience as a Team
Wednesday’s match will be the first meeting of the two clubs after last week’s matchup was postponed. Miami is 1-6-0 on the season and facing an Atlanta squad that has proven its ability to bounce back after tough losses. Miami’s only win this season came against Orlando, but they conceded two goals in the victory.
Atlanta looks to extend a warm welcome to Inter Miami at the formidable Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Wednesday and take advantage of the expansion team’s struggles this season. Atlanta’s home record in MLS is 41-9-11 all-time.
Up the Intensity
Saturday’s loss came after a slow first half for Atlanta United, something the team recognized and is looking to fix Wednesday. If the team comes out with the same energy they did against Nashville, the 5-Stripes will get the results they are used to.
“I think the intensity might have been a bit too slow. That is one thing I will hold it down to, especially between us. We need to move the ball very quickly, especially with them so deep,” Defender Anton Walkes said in his post-match interview. “I think looking back now, if there is one thing that I could change it is definitely the speed that we were playing at. I think it affected our whole team and it is something we should have done better.”
Wednesday, Atlanta will need to be quick and physical from kickoff to overpower Inter Miami’s defense and score goals. With Franco Escobar returning from his suspension and a strengthened attack, the team looks to bounce back from Saturday's defeat.
Watch the 5-Stripes in action this Wednesday as they face Inter Miami CF at 7pm ET on Fox Sports 1.
