Three games ago, at New England, the problem was a lack of finishing plays. Two games ago, at Real Salt Lake, the problem was defending set pieces. On Tuesday, against Indy Eleven in the U.S. Open Cup, the problem was defending in transition.
“I see the team is making some progress in certain areas,” Valentino said.
Valentino likes the progress he’s seeing on the counterattacks. He liked the team’s defensive shape in the first half against Real Salt Lake. He believes if the team can maintain its defensive shape, it has enough offensive talent to be tough to beat.
Atlanta United has conceded seven goals in its last three games and Montreal will next face them on Saturday in Canada.
“If we can get better at that, and just talking about one thing, if we can really go out and get better at that, then that’s fine, we’ve got some different skill sets here and we can take advantage of some different things in different games,” Valentino said.
Valentino has played with three centre-backs, two full-backs, three midfielders and two forwards in most games since taking over seven games ago from the sacked Gonzalo Pineda.
Asked if he is considering changing the formation to use only two central defenders or adding a midfielder, he said the coaching staff will take each game as its own puzzle and hinted that the formation will not change.
“I think it’s important to have some consistency right now,” he said. “Results aren’t going to dictate what we do every time. They’re important, but I don’t think that’s what’s causing us problems.”
Saturday’s game may seem more important than others because Montreal is also in the running for a playoff spot. Atlanta United is in 10th place with 24 points and Montreal is in 11th with 23. Toronto, with 24 points, is in the ninth and final playoff spot in the East.
Valentino said the fact that Atlanta United is playing another playoff-bound team doesn’t make the game any more or less important than any other.
Montreal has won two of its last 16 matches, but will be bolstered by the return of several players who were with Canada at the Copa America. Atlanta United’s roster isn’t as strong, but it has sold three starters.
“We have to get back on the right foot,” said midfielder Bartosz Slisz. “It’s not easy, but there won’t be any easy games this season. So we have to adapt to the situation. We have to stick together and keep going.”
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Atlanta United 2024 Schedule
February 24 Columbus 1, Atlanta United 0
March 9 Atlanta United 4, New England 1
March 17 Atlanta United 2, Orlando 0
March 23 Toronto 2, Atlanta United 0
March 31 Atlanta United 3, Chicago 0
April 6 Atlanta United 1, NYCFC 1
April 14 Atlanta United 2, Philadelphia 2
April 20 Cincinnati 2, Atlanta United 1
April 27 Atlanta United 1, Chicago 1
May 4 Minnesota 2, Atlanta United 1
May 7 Atlanta United 3, Charlotte Independence 0 in the US Open Cup
May 11 DC United 3, Atlanta United 2
May 15 Cincinnati 1, Atlanta United 0
May 18 Atlanta United 1, Nashville 1
May 21 Atlanta United 0 (5), Charleston 0 (4) in the US Open Cup
May 25 LAFC 1, Atlanta United 0
May 29 Atlanta United 3, Miami 1
June 2 Charlotte 3, Atlanta United 2
June 15 Atlanta United 2, Houston 2
June 19 Atlanta United 1, DC United 0
June 22 Atlanta United 1, St. Louis 1
June 29 Atlanta United 2, Toronto 1
July 3 New England 2, Atlanta United 1
July 6 Real Salt Lake 5, Atlanta United 2
July 9 vs. Indy Eleven 2, Atlanta United 1
July 13 in Montreal, 7:30 p.m.
July 17 vs. NYCFC, 7:30 p.m.
July 20 vs. Columbus, 7:30 p.m.
July 26 vs. DC United in the Leagues Cup, 7:30 p.m.
August 4 vs. Santos Laguna in the Leagues Cup, 4:00 p.m.
August 24 at LA Galaxy, 10:30 p.m.
August 31 in Charlotte, 7:30 p.m.
September 14 vs. Nashville, 7:30 p.m.
September 18 vs. Miami, 7:30 p.m.
September 21 at Red Bulls, 7:30 p.m.
September 28 in Philadelphia, 7:30 p.m.
October 2 vs. Montreal, 7:30 p.m.
October 5 vs. Red Bulls, 19:30 h
October 19 in Orlando, 6 pm
