Tactical Analysis: NYCFC 2–2 Atlanta United
After facing one “New York” team, Atlanta didn’t have to travel far for their next game. In a game where on paper Atlanta was expected to not even take a single point, they’ve fought going behind twice and managed to take home one point from reigning champions NYCFC at Yankee Stadium.
If you watched the game, it would look like NYCFC was the most dominant side throughout the whole match and you’d be right for one part. NYCFC did have numerous opportunities to take the lead and had Atlanta scrambling whenever they were in possession. When they were without the ball, you could argue they were more dangerous. However, the stats would tell you that it was an even affair.
A Josef Martinez header and a late Dom Dwyer appearance helped the Five Stripes get something out of this game where it would feel like both teams had opportunities to grab the win. How did Pineda set up Atlanta against NYCFC? Well, the first part was a formation change.
Lineups:
The Setup:
Pineda set the team up in a 4–2–3–1 with the strongest attacking team we have seen to date: Martinez, Almada, Moreno, and Araujo. It’s no surprise that Pineda would want his best forward options to start against a challenging opponent, but it does leave sacrificing a center back and switching to a 4 man backline as Atlanta would build up again from the back, but this time there isn’t a 3rd center back who’s ready to open up the pitch wide. Instead, one of the midfielders (Sedjic or Rossetto) would drop deep to be the extra passing option in the middle. NYCFC would press in a 4–4–2 with Castellanos and Moralez beginning the press.
With the game being played at Yankee Stadium, Atlanta was limited on how wide they could stretch the team. This made it difficult to play out of the back as New York were very smart in their pressing.
The main difference for this game was the fact that NYCFC’s game model involves maintaining possession and being effective with it. Compared to the Red Bulls game, Atlanta boasted the majority of the possession and was able to bypass the Red Bull’s press with it. However, with NYCFC’s smart press and Atlanta’s back 4, it made it difficult for them to progress the ball without sending a long ball.
NYCFC was dangerous with and without possession. They were able to maintain control of the ball and progress it much further because of brilliant runs by the front 4 and the doubt pivot of Acevedo and Morales. The front four were so fluid in their runs and to be able to adjust themselves positionally was a sight to see. Their first goal was a result of patience in the build-up to create passing lanes and find the run of Castellanos, who beats his defender.
Atlanta, on the other hand, struggled with getting forward at times. Most of their opportunities arose on the counter when they win the ball back or wait for an open run by one of the forwards and hit it long. When in possession, they would recycle until a forward is being made or they could find a passing lane between the lines. What’s interesting is that Araujo, Moreno and Almada would occasionally find themselves dropping from their positions in order to progress the ball forward.
A play that I saw that Atlanta used to progress forward a few times occurred before the build up. Rossetto would drop from the midfield and take over the right back spot while McFadden would push forward out wide. This would move Franco and Campbell over while Wiley pushed out wide on the left. The play would start with getting the ball quickly to the wingers or have Almada progress the ball through the middle.
Pineda must be feeling pleased with the results considering all that the club has been going through. The run of away games are now over as Atlanta will host Austin FC at Mercedes-Benz Stadium this Saturday.
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