After Atlanta United was drubbed 4-0 by Houston in its first road game, defeating Minnesota United 1-0 in its second road game was important, according to a few of Atlanta United’s players.
“Great confidence booster for us.,” fullback Greg Garza said Tuesday. “Teams in this league have the dilemma of going away and not getting a result. We had that last year with a few teams.”
Road teams in MLS this season are 13-23-9. It’s not a coincidence that every team below the red line that signifies the six playoff spots in each conference in this developing season has failed to post a win away from home. LAFC, which already has posted two wins away from its under-construction home, will play at Atlanta United on Saturday at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Last year, road teams were 76-208-90, including Atlanta United’s 4-6-7 mark away from Bobby Dodd and Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
But, just like last year, Atlanta United was able to grab its first road win in Minnesota.
“No teams on the road are successful in this league,” Atlanta United fullback Sal Zizzo said. “You are always an underdog. To get a win is a huge three points.”
The way that Atlanta United ground out the three points also was important.
Down to 10 men after Leandro Gonzalez Pirez earned a second yellow card in the first half, and playing in what many described as the coldest game they’ve ever experienced, a bunkered Atlanta United limited Minnesota United to three shots on target.
Atlanta United defender Chris McCann said the manner of play was actually comfortable because the Loons preferred to play in front of Atlanta United’s defense, instead of trying to play over the lines. Minnesota United did pump in 49 crosses, but Atlanta United posted more than 50 clearances.
“The one thing going through my mind was, luckily we only have to play this team once because they probably never want to see our faces again,” Garza said. “We definitely grinded out a victory that was not the prettiest and probably the ugliest a lot of us played. But that was a great team effort, and I think that’s a confidence booster for a lot of us.”
