Saturday's result, a 0-0 draw with D.C. United, was progress for Atlanta United on one end but left much to be desired on another. Head coach Ronny Deila's squad kept its first clean sheet in nearly four months, but the 5-Stripes couldn't find enough shooting opportunities and didn't covert on their few looks.
What was the response at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta Training Ground Tuesday? Split up and look for solutions. Atlanta United split up attacking and defensive players for the second half of training. It's something they've done before this season but less often in recent weeks. The focuses for each of the drills were tailored to what needs improving in either phase of the game.
The two breakout groups weren't purely split by positions. Fullbacks Dominik Chong Qui and Nyk Sessock fed the attackers through balls in buildup drills around mannequins, as guys like Miguel Almirón, Latte Lath, Alexey Miranchuk, Saba Lobjanidze and more got to sharpen their shooting boots.
On the other field, it was the defensive midfielders and defenders in a triple mini-goal drill. Assistant coach Carl Robinson supervised, commenting on positioning and passing tendencies in certain scenarios.
Tuesday was a particularly nuanced session, one of a squad that's looking for answers not in the big picture, but in the minute details along the way.
Saba Lobjanidze and the attackers looking to break out again
Since Atlanta United last played at home May 28, they've played four road matches in a row but have scored just one goal in those four matches. That's after they put seven past two of the better Eastern Conference teams at home. Top to bottom, the players know the attack has to produce more.
"To be honest, it's sad, because I think we are a good team," Lobjanidze said after training. "We have quality, and still we need something."
The attacking talent is not in question, but the 5-Stripes are searching for something more, something instinctual going forward. Saba said the pressure from early season struggles hasn't quite rubbed off for the team.
Against a D.C. team that didn't look to come out of its shell very often, Atlanta United earned consistent possession but without substantial opportunities to show for it. The 5-Stripes fired off seven shots, with just one being on target, marking the third-straight match where they put up a single-digit shot total.
While the attackers trained separately Tuesday, the veterans spent time coaching up the younger guys about their runs. Miguel Almirón and Luke Brennan were hip to hip talking about their reps and how to improve them. Change starts from the top, and starters like Almirón and Saba aren't forgetting about their roles as leaders while looking to better their own play.
"We're going to take it and we're going to feel the responsibility," Lobjanidze said. "First of all, we're going to do action, make action on the pitch, not only words and conversation."
Saba, who was back in the thick of the attack after starting on the left wing for the first time in a few matches, thinks it might've been an issue of not being quite daring enough.
"If you don't risk, nothing will happen," he said. "Of course, there will be mistakes, but we're going to be together, and we'll make a risk. Success will come because we're a good team. I believe that."
Will Reilly looking to build on another quality start
Atlanta United's Homegrown midfielder made his third appearance in the starting XI of the 2025 season against D.C. United July 5, and he took his chance. According to FBref.com, Reilly led all midfielders and attackers in touches with 73. He completed 91 percent of his passes and made six recoveries in addition to two tackles and two interceptions.
Well-rounded performances like that are Reilly's calling card — it began with his first start against FC Cincinnati March 22. He's proving, even with less frequent opportunities to start, that he can be a valuable midfielder in this Atlanta United side.
As Will spoke at media availability after training Tuesday, you could hear just how nuanced he gets when discussing what his side can do to improve. He went to Stanford, after all.
"It starts all the way from the back, building out detail on the passes, the speed of play so that we're getting the ball to the right guys in the right spaces high up the field with more time and space," Reilly said. "Then, they can create and make things happen."
In build up, the speed is absolutely part of what's missing. D.C. United's low block was condensed, but they didn't concede much ground moving forward. Atlanta United had difficulties getting the ball into dangerous positions because switching passes didn't arrive before the defense could rotate, attackers often receiving the ball with their backs to goal and a defender in pursuit.
Reilly emphasized something other players have voiced throughout the last couple of months: the changes they need to make are many little ones as opposed to a few substantial overhauls.
"It's not like we're getting played off the park any week, just little details that we're not getting," Reilly said. "It's a confluence of a bunch of small things that, if we can tweak and change, we'll see drastically different results."
