Darlington Nagbe said he was mostly pleased with his debut for Atlanta United in Saturday’s 3-1 win at Nashville SC at First Tennessee Park.
“As a team, at times we did well and at times we were a little sloppy,” he said. “I think that had to do with the conditions the field conditions as well.”
Nagbe, a midfielder, was acquired by Atlanta United in a trade with Portland in the offseason. Technical Director Carlos Bocanegra said Nagbe was Atlanta United's top target within MLS because they appreciated his dribbling ability, passing ability and calmness on the ball, among many things.
Nagbe showed all of that throughout the game, particularly on the long run down the middle of the water-soaked field that resulted in an assist on Brandon Vazquez's goal.
“Romario (Williams) made a great run up the left side, but I just couldn’t get it to him because that side of the pitch was a little sloppy,” Nagbe said. “Brandon did a great job coming up to support the play. The field was tough. The first half was a little bit better because we were attacking the side that wasn’t as flooded.”
Because of the conditions, most of Nagbe’s passes in the first half were side-to-side as Atlanta United grew into the game.
Centerback Leandro Gonzalez Pirez called Nagbe the problem-solver because the defenders knew if they got him the ball he would take control.
Nagbe said he didn’t yet feel instinctual within Gerardo Martino’s system, but he said he’s figuring it out as he goes and expected to received more feedback following a film review Monday afternoon at the team’s training ground n Marietta.
“Tata does a great job letting us know what he wants from us in the field, movements and stuff like that,” Nagbe said. “A lot of it has been rehearsed.”
About the Author
