Atlanta United faces Columbus crew in playoffs Sans star player Thiago Almada
Posted : 01 November 2023
Atlanta United will face the Columbus Crew in their best-of-three first-round series without the presence of Thiago Almada, one of the league's standout players who was a finalist for both the MLS MVP and Young Player of the Year awards. Almada, who boasts 11 goals and 19 assists, received a red card (two cautions) during the regular-season finale against FC Cincinnati on October 21, leading to his absence in the opener.
Gonzalo Pineda, the head coach of Atlanta, acknowledged the challenge of replicating Almada's exceptional qualities but emphasized the team's collective effort. Atlanta still has Giorgos Giakoumakis, who impressed with 17 goals in 27 matches and tied for second in the league.
The series between Atlanta and the Columbus Crew promises to be a clash of firepower. Atlanta ranked second in MLS with 66 goals scored, just one goal shy of the Crew's tally. The Crew are led by Cucho Hernandez, who has contributed 16 goals and 11 assists.
With similar rosters and tactical approaches, Pineda believes the outcome will depend on the players' performance, as both teams are likely to neutralize each other's tactics. Crew coach Wilfried Nancy is confident in his team's readiness for the postseason, citing their strong finish to the regular season.
In this new playoff format, matches tied after 90 minutes will go directly to penalty kicks. Game 2 is scheduled for November 7 in Atlanta, with a potential third game in Columbus on November 12 if necessary.
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