Photo Credit: Juan Blas/Atlanta United FC
Atlanta United manager Gerardo “Tata” Martino said, “I thought the movement of the ball was good tonight, the guys were precise and dynamic.” This is high praise for a young group of starters who closed out the pre-season claiming a 0-0 draw with hometown host the Charleston Battery.
The starting XI included many of the young players looking to impress the manager and find a way into the first team for the 2018 season. United started in a 4-2-3-1 formation with Alec Kann in goal; Jose Hernandez, Miles Robinson, Michael Parkhurst, and Franco Escobar in the defense; Andrew Wheeler-Omiuni and Kevin Kratz as the holding midfielders; Brandon Vazquez, Andrew Carleton and Hector Villaba as the attacking midfielders and Romario Willliams as the lone striker.
This lineup featured veterans 34-year-old Parkhurst in the defense and 31-year-old Kratz in the midfield to anchor the young starters; without the veterans, the average age was 21 years old. Two of those who clearly improved their stock were 23-year-old midfielder Andrew Wheeler-Omiun, and homegrown sensation 17-year-old Andrew Carleton. Martino stated that “[Andrew] Wheeler and [Andrew] Carleton were two of our best guys on the field.” The manager also had praise for defender 20-year-old Miles Robinson, who he said, “was good marking as a defender.”
Carleton proved lively and active sparking several opportunities, including a nifty back heel in box pass in the sixth minute to Escobar.
Carleton back heel pass :
We see you @andrewcarleton7 ? pic.twitter.com/ohuf336luj
— Atlanta United FC (@ATLUTD) February 25, 2018
He also pounced on a loose pass in the 61st minute to strike a first-time pass beautifully into the path of the fresh legs of rookie Jon Gallagher. Unfortunately, the chip shot by Gallagher was saved well by the Battery goalkeeper, Odisnel Cooper, who kept the game scoreless.
Carleton’s beautifully weighted pass:
That. Pass. ?@andrewcarleton7 is inch-perfect to set up @JonGallagher96 pic.twitter.com/JeR9Y3s3Hg
— Atlanta United FC (@ATLUTD) February 25, 2018
Andrew Carleton said after the game, “I created some good opportunities. I could’ve been sharper in some areas, but everybody’s always trying to improve. I just have to look at the mistakes I made and try to keep growing from that. It’s always about getting better so that’s what I’m going to try focus on.”
The Battery were up to the task and had several opportunities of their own in the first half. They had a clean break away in the 31st minute that United Keeper, Alec Kann, was able to leap from his line to block. Just minutes later, in the 34th minute, Battery striker Ian Svantesson appeared to break the deadlock but was waved away for being offside. Svantesson was looking for what would have been his third goal in three games.
Kann breaks from his line:
Welcome back @akann90 ?? pic.twitter.com/SNJmXt2rvC
— Atlanta United FC (@ATLUTD) February 25, 2018
Atlanta United looking for a winning goal late in the match substituted star Miguel Almiron and rookie of the year Julian Gressel in at the 81st minute. The Battery defense proved ready for the pressure and were able to keep the clean sheet.
Manager Tata Martino has turned his attention to the beginning of the season he says the team plans to “… to keep working on the guys’ fitness and also their technique heading into the beginning of the season. I think the games here served us well. The guys were competitive for 90 minutes in every game, we just have to keep working to get ready for opening weekend.”
Atlanta United FC
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