Using data compilled from Opta, which offers advanced sports databases, it's possible to figure out how effective Atlanta United was on the road for the past four matches. The club embarked on an approximately 11,000 mile, plus road-trips traversing most of the weekends in April. In those times, Atlanta had 2 thrilling stalemates, a devastating defeat, and a well-deserved victory in the Rockies (Salt Lake City). United picked up five points in four matches but how should we now evaluate their performance from those games?
Let's take a look at some numbers
Three goals in four games
The road games started with the dejected news that Atlanta United would be missing their talisman Josef Martinez with a quad contusion. Kenwyne Jones and Tito Villalba started two matches apiece in Martinez absence scoring three goals from the striker spot. That isn't the five goals Josef Martinez netted in three matches, but it is somewhat an acceptable production from your option B attackers.
Two red cards on the road trip in Canada
Both Leandro Gonzalez Pirez and Yamil Asad got a referee “obligated trip” to the showers in Canada, with obviously no pancakes on the road; they're absolutely “strict north of the border,” and United had to play with a man down in both matches in Canada.
In the Toronto encounter, having ten men meant trying to hold on to a tie, and with all Atlanta had they eventually did it. Against Montreal Impact, it meant deciding not to be mindful about having ten men on the field and still imposing their style against the Montreal Impact to go in front of goal for the second-half and try to win the match.
Unfortunately, Atlanta lost on a “last seconds” goal but manager Gerardo Martino thought his side played the toughest match of the season and sometimes soccer is designed to take you by surprise.
Atlanta recorded only one successful road trip
As any away points are outright decent in Major League Soccer, the club spent the past four games on the road and much could have probably gone wrong.
Atlanta could have stumbled after Leaondro Gonzalez Pirez and Yamil Asad got the matching orders (red cards). The club could have subdued to the rocky altitude at the Salt Lake City but a strike from Kyle Beckerman sent in a late winner for the visitors. However, the starting XI rotation that United was forced into could have clearly disrupted the “chemistry” of the squad but it eventually showed how competent and solid the United bench is.
Atlanta earned five points in four road games
Unarguably, road points are very crucial in the Major League Soccer. Last year, Portland Timbers failed to win a single match away from their home and ultimately missed the playoffs spot. This season, Montreal Impact who made the playoffs spot in 2016, began four of their first-five matches away and picked up just only two points from them. By any metric five points away is a massive haul in four Major League Soccer games.
