Atlanta United defeat the Colorado Rapids 3-0 during their first visit to Dick’s Sporting Goods Park on Saturday afternoon Sept. 15th. (Photo: Atlanta United)
Atlanta United cruise to victory over the Colorado Rapids 3-0.
Atlanta coast back on top of the Supporters Shield riding a brace from Miguel Almirón on a hot afternoon in Commerce City, CO. The visitors got down to business early and often, scoring twice in the first twenty minutes.
Atlanta controlled the match from start to finish, however, as the match progressed they became less threatening. In the end, the possession ended about even and Colorado ended up with more shots than Atlanta. This is one of those instances where the stats do not really tell the story of the match.
Atlanta United head coach Gerardo Martino gave his reason for the second half wilt from his side, “I thought we had control of the game in the first half and it’s true that an afternoon summer game in Colorado is very difficult.”
With all the storylines this week, one that has not been the focus, is the road form of this year’s team. The win marks the ninth win on the road, one more than they have at home, and tied for an MLS record. This is unheard of success on the road. Midfielder Miguel Almirόn, spoke about this after the match, “I think our team is tighter this year. The players on the bench have done a really nice job as well and that makes us feel more united on the field. We have to keep it up for the rest of the season.”
Josef Martínez failed to score for the second match in a row after scoring in a record tying nine consecutive matches. He was effective, laying off a beautiful pass to set up Miguel Almirón on his second goal. Statistically, he had two key passes and total of 17 touches.
Miguel Almirón and Josef Martínez of Atlanta United celebrate a goal against Colorado Rapids at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park on September 15, 2018 in Commerce City, Colorado. (photo: Atlanta United)
Scoring Details
Colorado Rapids 0 – Atlanta United 1 – Miguel Almirón (Julian Gressel, Leandro Gonzalez Pirez) 10’
It all started with Leandro Gonzalez Pirez dribbling out of pressure in Atlanta’s half and sending a long diagonal ball for Julian Gressel Gressel. Gressel sent sending a ball across the mouth of the goal. Almirón collected it and beat Colorado goalkeeper Tim Howard with a blast into the top corner.
Goal #10 for #10 ?@JulianGressel ➡️ Miggy pic.twitter.com/Pl7WwM9prM
— Atlanta United FC (@ATLUTD) September 15, 2018
Colorado Rapids 0 – Atlanta United 2 – Miguel Almirón (Josef Martínez, Eric Remedi) 18’
The Atlanta press forced a costly mistake from Colorado deep in their own end. Tito Villalba knocked the ball loose from Colorado midfielder Kellyn Acosta. Altanta midfielder Eric Remedi quickly pounced the loose ball and played forward for Josef Martínez. Almirón raced to his side and straight at Colorado defender Kortne Ford forcing him to choose, and Martinez laid it off for Almirón who easily beat Colorado goalkeeper Tim Howard for his brace.
To get you up to speed:#ATLUTD leads 3-0
⚽️ 10' – Almirón
⚽️ 19' – Almirón
⚽️ 37' – Villalba pic.twitter.com/5kN8stxEo6— Atlanta United FC (@ATLUTD) September 15, 2018
Colorado Rapids 0 – Atlanta United 3 – Tito Villalba (Julian Gressel, Miguel Almirón) 37’
Atlanta struck quickly again on another turnover, with lightening speed, Atlanta countered with Almirón launching a ball forward across the pitch for Gressel to run onto. Gressel then pressed toward goal and sent a ball in on goal for a hard rushing Tito Villalba, who hammered it past Howard.
☑️ The through ball
☑️ The cross
☑️ The finishThat @TitoVillalba15 goal had it all ? pic.twitter.com/YhDrMqNXj8
— Atlanta United FC (@ATLUTD) September 15, 2018
Personnel Details
Midfielder Darlington Nagbe returns to the pitch after an almost three month absence. Nagbe sustained an abductor injury on 24th of June against the Portland Timbers. After the match, Nagbe commented on how he felt after the long break due to injury, “I felt okay. I felt good on the ball and physically I’m just trying to get my fitness up and get back into shape, but overall I felt pretty good.”
Head coach Tata Martino had a very positive assessment as well, “He played very, very well. He played more than we had planned. We planned about sixty to sixty-five minutes for him, but he made it all the way to around the seventieth minute.”
Miguel Almirόn chimed in, “Every player is important, but Nagbe is a very special player. We missed him a lot, so I’m glad he was able to get healthy soon and be back on the field.”
Darlington Nagbe of Atlanta United battles for the ball against Colorado Rapids defender Edgar Castillo at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park on September 15, 2018 in Commerce City, Colorado. (photo: Atlanta United)
Line-ups
Atlanta United
- GK: Brad Guzan
- Defenders (3): Leandro González Pírez, Michael Parkhurst, Jeff Larentowicz
- Midfielders (5): Chris McCann, Eric Remedi, Darlington Nagbe (Kevin Kratz – 77’), Miguel Almirón (Andrew Carleton – 86’), Julian Gressel
- Forwards (2): Tito Villalba (Ezequiel Barco – 69’), Josef Martinez
Unused Substitutes
- Alec Kann, George Bello, Franco Escobar, Romario Williams
Colorado Rapids
- GK: Tim Howard
- Defenders (4): Edgar Castillo, Tommy Smith, Marlon Hairston, Kortne Ford
- Midfielders (4): Zack Price, Dillon Serna, Bismarck Boateng (Cole Bassett – 81’), Kellyn Acosta
- Forward (2): Sam Nicholson (Niki Jackson – HT), Giles Barnes (Shkëlzen Gashi – 62’)
Unused Substitutes
- Zac MacMath, Johan Blomberg, Danny Wilson, Deklan Wynne
Up Next
Atlanta United conclude this three match road stretch when they travel to San Jose for a mid-week match against the Earthquakes.
