Despite Atlanta United sitting on top of the Supporters’ Shield standings, the team need a jolt after a disappointing draw last week. And that’s just what they got Saturday, with a dominant 4-0 win over Orlando City in signature attacking style that sent 70,000+ fans in red, black and gold into raptures.
The big question coming into the match was who would replace Darlington Nagbe’s influential presence in the middle of the park, and it was the ever-reliable Julian Gressel that Tata Martino trusted in a more central role. That left an opening for Tito Villalba to return to the right wing in the 4-2-3-1 formation that was so successful last season.