Atlanta United manager Gerardo Martino admits that he doesn’t like to change personnel in the starting lineup.
It’s hard to argue with his reasoning.
Atlanta United is atop the Supporters' Shield standings with 57 points and has scored more goals than anyone in MLS (59) and has the largest goal-difference (plus-26). Both those should improve after Wednesday's game at San Jose, which fired its coach on Monday.
But Martino said he is confident that should he break form and start one of the players who is typically a reserve either on Wednesday or in Saturday’s game against Real Salt Lake at Mercedes-Benz Stadium that they will be ready.
“I think the substitutes are working hard,” Martino said on Monday. “We’ve had opportunities this season that when guys have needed to step up, they’ve done it.”
Martino mentioned midfielders Kevin Kratz and Andrew Carleton and fullback George Bello among those who he has tapped recently to come into games.
And Martino isn’t locked in. He moved Ezequiel Barco from the 11, where he started the previous two games, to the bench in Saturday’s 3-0 win against Colorado. Barco played the final 21 minutes.
“It’s always important to be among the 11 guys on the field and to do whatever Tata is asking of us,” Barco said. “It’s just important for us to get those results.”
The interesting thing is despite Atlanta United’s success this season, Martino has been hesitant to take out starters even when the result is foregone. The Five Stripes have 1,121 minutes from subs this season, the second-lowest total in the league behind only Portland’s 1,066.
But when the subs are used they do make an impact.
The team has four goals from the subs, tied for seventh-most in the league. Real Salt Lake leads with 10.
And the subs have contributed three assists. D.C. United leads with 10.
And it’s not just one or two players who are contributing. The team traveled with 22 players on this road trip. With the exception of Jose Hernandez, each has made at least one appearance.
Kratz, who has two starts and 23 appearances off the bench this season, said the key to being able to contribute is to stay mentally in the game. It starts with effort and concentration in training and carries into the game. He said he talks to the starters when they come out, asking how they viewed situations and comparing it to his view. He watches how the positions that he may be used are reacting during games so that he can seamlessly come in should his number go on the board.
“Keep your head always in the game,” Kratz said. “With the quick turnaround and traveling, everybody wants to be on the same page. Everybody wants to be part of the game. We push each other in the training sessions. This is what we do to be fresh and ready for the game.”
The team has six games remaining with much to play for. Though it has locked up a spot in the playoffs, it has yet to clinch a first-round bye or the Supporters’ Shield.
At least one of the reserves may be needed in a deciding moment, captain Michael Parkhurst said.
“We’ve leaned on guys throughout the season that aren’t normally starters but they’ve played in big games and got big results for us,” he said. “There’s no doubt that some of those guys are going to need to help us down the stretch.”
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