Atlanta United is in a must-win situation tonight as they host Herediano at Fifth-Third Bank Stadium tonight. United radio analyst Jason Longshore joined the Morning Show with Jon Chuckery and Hugh Douglas to preview Leg 2 of the Concacaf Champions League.
Longshore said while it's important United score in the first half, he said not giving up an early goal is that much more vital.
“I don’t think you have to look at it in the first 15, but you do in the first 30-45. That goal on the road by Gressel was gigantic in making things a little more comfortable tonight. You don’t want to get too stretched too much, too early and give up a goal, because if they get one, you’ll need three at a minimum. If you keep them clean sheet and get a goal in each half – and that’s realistic – you’re advancing. If they get an early goal, now you’ll have to get two,” he said. “I think you need a goal in the first half, you need to put some pressure on Herediano early to shake their confidence, but you don’t want to get too stretched too early on.”
Longshore credited Herediano’s 10-game season for the advantage in their win last week, considering it was the first match of the 5 Stripes season.
“Something like this (tournament) is like a playoff situation. To be in playoff intensity in game one; that’s tough. Atlanta struggled to play at a high speed of play. Their rhythm was very off. Herediano had that rhythm because they’ve played competitive matches."
While Herediano played this past Sunday, Longshore wonders if they will have the energy, given the number of matches they’ve played in a short period of time. Weather could also be a factor tonight with rain scheduled in the forecast.
What must Atlanta United do to show they have a chance against Herediano?
“A little more patience. Everybody gets caught up in the starting formation a lot, but it’s more about the way different parts of the team functions. You want to build the play a little slower, but get everybody forward…That’s going to control possession and create more chances and create some mismatches on the field. Last week, it was a little too fast at getting forward, because the play more forward to fast.”
And when asked if Atlanta United moves on tonight, Longshore believes they will.
“I do. I think this is where your stars have to come up big. This is one of those times you define what you’re going to be as a club. They have to get it done tonight. Atlanta United has said from day one they want to be a club that wins trophies, and this is as big of a trophy as you’re going to find in 2019. I think they can win and move through.”
