Three Thoughts on Atlanta's Big Win Against SKC
Atlanta United swept Sporting Kansas City away with a convincing 3-0 win in their home opener. Sunday’s shutout was one of Atlanta’s best performances over the last few years, as the five stripes have struggled to return to their championship form. Though there are many key talking points coming from this game, here are my main takeaways.
1. Andrew Gutman is Better Than George Bello
Andrew Gutman had a debut to remember, winning man of the match in his first in front of the Atlanta supporters. Gutman made five tackles and recoveries, while also making a crucial block to deny a goal from Kansas City. Gutman looked good both going forward and defensively. In my opinion, Gutman is a more complete and experienced player than outgoing defender George Bello was. Although Bello may have a higher ceiling and a bright future, Gutman may be more able to help Atlanta compete for a title now.
2. Caleb Wiley is the Real Deal
Caleb Wiley put in an extremely impressive display on his MLS debut. After performing well for Atlanta’s USL Championship side, he was given a chance to prove himself during the preseason, which led to Wiley finally getting a shot with the first team on Sunday. Wiley did not disappoint - the 17-year-old looked composed on the ball and helped Atlanta see out the game. For the cherry on top, Wiley scored an 89th minute goal that helped secure three points for the Five Stripes. The future is bright for Wiley.
3. Gonzalo Pineda Is the Right Man For The Job
Last year, Gonzalo Pineda was able to guide Atlanta to a fifth place finish in the Eastern Conference, but there were still some questions about whether he could lead the team to their former glory heading into the 2022 season. Pineda was able to answer these questions in the first game of the season. Atlanta seem to be playing cohesively, similar to the extremely successful teams of the 2017 and 2018 seasons. Even without many key players, Pineda tactically outclassed Greg Vanney, who is one of the best managers in the league. Once his team is fully fit, Pineda will have an even greater chance of winning a trophy with this talented Atlanta team.
