Atlanta United is back at home after a road trip to Soldier Field to take on Chicago Fire FC. The team was not able to get on the scoreboard during Saturday night’s match, but the 5-Stripes also earned their third clean sheet of the season, earning one road point.
On Saturday, May 4, they will be at Mercedes-Benz Stadium to face Minnesota United FC. Atlanta United’s Tyler Wolff and Saba Lobjanidze spoke to local media on Tuesday to discuss how the month of April went for the team and improvements going forward.
Tyler Wolff
After a breakout season in 2023 with a career-high 18 appearances for Atlanta United and five goals, homegrown Tyler Wolff has already made six appearances for the team in 2024.
At Tuesday media availability, Wolff talked about the match against Chicago and what the 5-Stripes look to build off it. They were able to get chances on Saturday as Atlanta controlled 60 percent of the possession with 16 shots, as well as almost 90 percent on passing accuracy. Wolff, who started the match, appeared to score 24 minutes into the match, but the goal did not count after an offside call.
“I would say going into the game last week, one of the big points was mentality,” Wolff said. “We would score then let goals go in right after. Last week, we really worked on our mentality. Going away in this league is always tough, so I think a positive is that clean sheet.”
When asked about how he manages to keep attacking even when the results may not be there, Wolff pointed to understanding and respecting the process and carrying out game plans that they practice.
“Sticking to the basics,” said Wolff. “Connecting passes and keeping that urgency and energy to want to score goals.
Saba Lobjanidze
Since the beginning of the season, Lobjanidze has had his fair share of scoring chances in every game. In the match against Orlando City SC, Lobjanidze scored first to get the 5-stripes on the board. Since then, the chances continue to pile up, some of which have been stopped by in-game heroics of the opposing keeper like in Chicago when Lobjanidze headed a precise cross from Brooks Lennon that appeared to be on its way to the corner of the net before Chicago goalkeeper Chris Brady forced the shot wide.
“Once you are scoring goals or making assists, it becomes easier,” said Lobjanidze when asked about how he continues to push in a match. “You have more confidence. The start is always a little bit hard, but after that is it easier.”
When asked about a winless April, and specifically the last three games, Lobjanidze said that the team has “already forgotten” and that they are “keeping their heads up, looking towards the two home games.”
Atlanta United not only has two matches at Mercedes-Benz Stadium to prepare for, one coming this weekend against Minnesota on May 4 and one against D.C. United on May 11, but they are also set to face Charlotte Independence for the 2024 Lamar Hunt U.S Open Cup on May 7.
Don’t miss any of the action coming up for this busy May, get your tickets here.
