The Peachtree Hat Trick: Maddie's Three Thoughts after ATLUTD's Jam-Packed Weekend
- Madison Crews
- Aug 18
- 4 min read
Back again for the Peachtree Hat Trick to recap everything from Atlanta United's 3-1 loss to the Colorado Rapids and Atlanta United 2's 1-0 victory last night over Crown Legacy!
The A Stands for Alexey Miranchuk
Even though Atlanta didn't get three points out of the match, for me the biggest bright spot was Alexey Miranchuk. We have seen him continue to get better and better this season.
Atlanta goes down in the 18th minute, but what stood out to me was the response afterwards. Ronald Hernández played a pass from the right wing towards the top of the box where Alexey saw the opening and curled a left-footed shot from distance inside the far post. With his goal on Saturday, he scored his sixth goal of the regular season and eighth goal in all competitions. He has not scored in three consecutive MLS matches.
That is the technique and experience Alexey gives you as the Maestro of the team. We have seen that connection grow between Alexey, Miguel Almirón and Ronald throughout the last few matches, and it's paying off in moments like that.
That is something to build on especially heading into Sunday's match back at the Benz against Toronto. I leave this thought with a quote from Ronald that stood out to me from postgame media after Colorado:
"We are in a tough moment, because we had five games in a row where we were improving, and then all of a sudden, it seems like we are back again where in the second half we struggle a lot," said Hernández. "This sensation and the feeling is frustrating that we are not getting the reward that we should. I believe that the luck is not on our side right now.”
From the Academy to the A
Switching to last night's match where Atlanta United 2 beat Crown Legacy 1-0 at Fifth Third Stadium, it was a treat to watch a few Academy players break through and help in that win.
Santiago Pita, Gabriel Wesseh and DD Sibrian looked like seasoned pros last night with the 2's. Let's start with Santi.
He touches and passes look easy on the field. It can be hard especially with young players adjusting to the speed and physicality of Next Pro, but Pita took it head on.
"With Santi, I mean, he's special. He's a really creative player and also had come play as a 8. So today, we tried with him playing a double 6/8 with him more in a freedom role," said Silva. "In the first half, it didn't work really well because we were a little bit disorganized. In the second-half he was more positioned now and he started to find a spot where he can operate.
It was the same with DD, who made his second consecutive start for ATLUTD 2. I said this last night on the call, but when you are playing in the midfield, sometimes it's good that I don't say your name a whole lot. It's because DD was doing everything right. He was very calm and collected when he dealt with pressure and helped Atlanta win back a few balls in the middle third.
"With DD, I mean, it's unreal how he's performing. We knew kind of that it was his moment because you can feel it in practice how when the older players see when he touches the ball and they start to comment like, "oh, this guy" and you start to think, OK, so maybe it's the moment for DD to go in and he's so smart," said Interim Head Coach Jose Silva. "It's kind of the comparison is going to be too much, but it's kind of like Rodri-like as a player and I stay there. He's a builder who builds for the team and lets the attacker score."
Gabriel Wesseh has continued to get better and better every time he steps out onto the pitch. His first touch is absolutely insane and his composure on the ball has been something I have seen grow a lot this season. He is playing with confidence and taking chances to help the team.
It has been so fun watching all of these Academy kids get the opportunity to shine and show that the future is bright for ATLUTD.
It Takes a Team, Not a Hero
Interim Head Coach Jose Silva said to Jon Nelson in the pregame show on soccerdownhere.mixlr.com that in the 2-1 loss to Inter Miami back on August 3, once Miami got the red card, every player wanted to be the superhero. Every player wanted to come in and help lead the team to victory, but that's not how you win matches.
There are 11 men on the pitch and you have to work together to get three points. We have seen a different team in the last two matches since for the 2's.
They went on the road and beat Toronto II 3-1 and beat crown Legacy in a difficult match last night. This season for the 2's it has felt like that they have been better than what the record shows, and not you are seeing those performances come with wins.
It has been a fun season to cover for ATLUTD 2 because we have seen a team come together and create something beautiful off and on the field. This is a great group and I love getting to watch matches like the one last night. It shows the character, the fight and the talent that this team has.
Atlanta United 2 is four points out of a playoff spot in MLS Next Pro and if these performances continue, things are looking bright for the 2's.
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