Ahead of Sunday's home match vs Atlanta, SportingKC.com caught up with The Atlanta Journal-Constitution's Doug Roberson to preview #SKCvATL. Live coverage of Sunday's match (7 p.m. CT) is available on FS1, FOX Deportes, Sports Radio 810 WHB, and La Grande 1340 AM. Check out MatchDay Central for complete online coverage.
What were the expectations for Atlanta this season and how would you assess where they are heading into Sunday’s match?
The team’s architects made no secret that it was built to win soon and that the playoffs were the hope. At this point in the season, fifth place would seem to be fine, but they have dropped points against some of the league’s worst teams. They feel they should be higher in the table.
What are the injury concerns ahead of Sunday? Do you expect many changes from the Starting XI against Orlando?
The team will be without several injured players, including starting striker Josef Martinez and left fullback Greg Garza, as well as key reserves Mark Bloom and Kenwyne Jones. The starting 11 will see Mikey Ambrose in for Garza. The rest of the 11 should likely stay the same: goalkeeper Brad Guzan, right fullback Anton Walkes, centerbacks Michael Parkhurst and Leandro Gonzalez Pirez, holding midfielders Carlos Carmona and Jeff Larentowicz, attacking midfielder Carlos Carmona, wide midfielders Yamil Asad and Julian Gressel, and striker Hector Villalba.
What’s the style of play Tata Martino has brought to Atlanta? Has the team’s style of play been consistent from home to road matches?
Martino employs a high press designed to keep the ball in the opponent’s half and to force turnovers. He reasons the closer his team is to the other team’s goal, the quicker they can score. However, the team does like to play out of the back.
The form has seen periods of consistency, followed by a few clunkers. The team is playing well now right now. It is unbeaten in its past five games.
What’s been the key to their recent success (won four of their last five matches)?
The good form has been due to the team following Martino’s tactics and avoiding panicky play. Walkes has helped to stabilize the back line and given them more height to defend set pieces. Martino has become slightly more flexible with his use of Larentowicz, who often drops between Pirez and Parkhurst as a third centerback. When that happens, the formation becomes a 3-6-1 or 3-5-2.
What are a few things you’ll be watching for Sunday’s match?
I’m curious to see Ambrose against Graham Zusi, if he plays. Also curious to see Sporting KC’s new front three against Atlanta United’s back six.
