6:04 am | July 19, 2019 | Go to Source | Author:
It’s the most complicated time of the year for MLS teams, with the weather steamy, the transfer window open and nothing yet secure when it comes to playoff places. This week the intrigue kicks up just a small notch more with a United vs. United showdown in Atlanta, a chance for another United to prove their postseason bona-fides versus Real Salt Lake and the latest installment in Matias Almeyda’s man-marking revolution in San Jose.
United vs. United
There’s drama in Atlanta following Gonzalo “Pity” Martinez’s comments to an Argentine media outlet that he wasn’t happy with United head coach Frank de Boer‘s decision to speak to the media about subbing off Martinez in a game against the Montreal Impact on June 29. The club says the air is “cleared,” but there’s a real concern that the 25-year-old just doesn’t fit with the Dutchman’s system.
Atlanta earned an important confidence-boosting 5-0 win over the Houston Dynamo on Wednesday without Martinez in the starting lineup. De Boer’s decision to use Martinez as late substitute made sense with a hectic schedule, but it means that the player missed out on the mental boost from the goal party against Houston. Will De Boer turn back to Martinez against D.C. on Sunday (4 p.m. ET, ESPN)?
It seems like a lifetime ago, but these two teams opened the season against each other. DCU got the better of the champs on that day, ruining De Boer’s MLS debut with a 2-0 win at Audi Field.
D.C. has its own issues with a creative Argentine player. Luciano Acosta was Robin to Wayne Rooney‘s Batman during a run to the playoffs in 2018, but his production has dropped off dramatically this season. The simplest explanation for the dip is that a failed move to Paris Saint-Germain during the offseason changed the alchemy in D.C. and put Acosta off his game.
There’s no indication that Acosta is a problem child. He’s not Martinez. There are no interviews on Argentine television. The problem for D.C. is that as long as he’s not creating goals, it’s all the same.
Minnesota playoff credentials to be tested in Utah
The longest active winning streak in Major League Soccer belongs to Minnesota United. One more win and the Loons will tie the longest winning run in the league this season of five, reached by both LAFC and Atlanta.
Does that mean they’ve turned the corner? Minnesota’s three-year plan was always aimed at the first year playing in Allianz Field, and so far in 2019, the plan seems to be working. The additions of Darwin Quintero, Angelo Rodriguez and Jan Gregus in the past year not only filled up Minnesota’s quota of Designated Players, it has brought a swagger to the club that was much needed.
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The Loons are utilizing depth, and to excellent effect at the moment as well. The hottest Loon is Mason Toye, a second-year forward with four goals in his past four games despite playing understudy to Rodriguez. A packed schedule and a run to the semifinals of the U.S. Open Cup forced head coach Adrian Heath to get creative with his personnel — who duly responded.
An away date in Utah on Saturday (10 p.m. ET, ESPN+) is the next test for the Minnesota project. For their part, Mike Petke’s men are flying high off a 4-0 trouncing of the Philadelphia Union last weekend. Jefferson Savarino dominated that game, scoring two goals and setting up a third. Real Salt Lake isn’t among the league’s best, but it won’t be an easy out for Minnesota.
In fact, RSL could bolster its own playoff credentials with second consecutive home win against a team in the playoff places.
Almeyda’s Quakes set example for Dos Santos’ Caps
When you start to really understand what Matias Almeyda’s particular brand of soccer philosophy entails and what it requires from his players, it’s impossible not to be impressed by what’s happening in San Jose. The Earthquakes were an abject disaster for the first month of the season. Since then, they’ve been one of the league’s best teams.
Vancouver has … not been one of the league’s best teams. That sets up Saturday’s showdown at BC Place as a match between a team grasping for consistency under a new head coach and one looking to consolidate its place among the league’s elite.
One of the more fascinating elements of the Quakes’ rise is that the roster isn’t stocked with stars; players such as Valeri “Vako” Qazaishvili, Magnus Eriksson, Cristian Espinoza and Jackson Yueill (to name just the midfield) don’t jump off the page. But together, working as a unit in Almeyda’s man-marking system, they’re incredibly effective. The Quakes added a few names (most recently Carlos Fierro) since the Argentine coach’s arrival, but he’s working largely with the same group that finished dead last in 2018.
Almeyda’s early success stands in opposition to the struggles of Marc Dos Santos in Vancouver. The Whitecaps completely overhauled their roster, saying goodbye to some key figures and bringing in 15 new players for 2019. The results have been poor, with the Caps now sitting where the Quakes once were: at the bottom of the Western Conference.
Dos Santos will get a chance to make it work no matter what 2019 delivers. Still, beating the upstart Quakes on Saturday (10 p.m. ET, ESPN+) would be a good way to send a message a turnaround is on the horizon.
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