Playing time for Wednesday’s match against Miami will be part of the accountability that Atlanta United interim coach Rob Valentino referenced after Saturday’s 2-0 loss to Nashville at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
“They know that in the group that if you continuously make the same mistakes, then it becomes lineup selection, but ultimately is making sure that it never happens again, on more on the nonnegotiable stuff, like the work rate and effort, those are things that we shouldn’t have to look to get back,” he said.
The defeat, particularly the team’s lackadaisical play from the start after it had been told many times it needed to start fast, was one of the team’s worst performances this season.
“It was the, exactly the moment when we lose the game in the first 10 minutes,” winger Saba Lobjanidze said. “We were sleeping, and they were ready for everything.”
It seemed like at least one player, Derrick Williams, knew that something was amiss in the opening minutes when Nashville won a 50-50 ball.
“It kind of sets the tone of the game,” Williams said.
Valentino said losing one tackle shouldn’t be an excuse. Nor should giving up the first goal. He said the team had a chance to instantly rally after falling behind 1-0 in the fifth minute. Instead, he said, they didn’t for the remaining 85 minutes.
“That hurts, that hurts a lot, because I told you guys before, it’s not how I approach my work, it’s not how I approach my life, and I was disappointed in that,” Valentino said.
Valentino must walk a careful line with playing time.
Playing on short rest, he needs to choose the best possible team to try to defeat the league’s best team. Some players may not be able to go because of fatigue or a minor injury. Xande Silva, who started but was subbed off because of a foot injury, didn’t train on Monday. Ronald Hernandez and Quinten Westberg, who didn’t play against Nashville, are likely out again.
Atlanta United will play at Red Bulls on Saturday. The Five Stripes are in 10th place in the East. It is two points out of ninth, which is the final playoff spot, with six matches.
“The accountability with me doesn’t mean you’re out and I don’t care about you, and that you’re not the best player for us in that moment,” he said. “Just mean maybe for the lineup, that’s the best option here, and then we’re going to have to go to the next game, and that person might be the best available option.”
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Atlanta United’s 2024 schedule
Feb. 24 Columbus 1, Atlanta United 0
March 9 Atlanta United 4, New England 1
March 17 Atlanta United 2, Orlando 0
March 23 Toronto 2, Atlanta United 0
March 31 Atlanta United 3, Chicago 0
April 6 Atlanta United 1, NYCFC 1
April 14 Atlanta United 2, Philadelphia 2
April 20 Cincinnati 2, Atlanta United 1
April 27 Atlanta United 1, Chicago 1
May 4 Minnesota 2, Atlanta United 1
May 7 Atlanta United 3, Charlotte Independence 0 in U.S. Open Cup
May 11 D.C. United 3, Atlanta United 2
May 15 Cincinnati 1, Atlanta United 0
May 18 Atlanta United 1, Nashville 1
May 21 Atlanta United 0 (5), Charleston 0 (4) in U.S. Open Cup
May 25 LAFC 1, Atlanta United 0
May 29 Atlanta United 3, Miami 1
June 2 Charlotte 3, Atlanta United 2
June 15 Atlanta United 2, Houston 2
June 19 Atlanta United 1, D.C. United 0
June 22 Atlanta United 1, St. Louis 1
June 29 Atlanta United 2, Toronto 1
July 3 New England 2, Atlanta United 1
July 6 Real Salt Lake 5, Atlanta United 2
July 9 vs. Indy Eleven 2, Atlanta United 1
July 13 Montreal 1, Atlanta United 0
July 17 Atlanta United 2, NYCFC 2
July 20 Atlanta United 2, Columbus 1
July 26 D.C. United 3 (6), Atlanta United 3 (5) in Leagues Cup
Aug. 4 Santos Laguna 0 (5), Atlanta United 0 (3) in Leagues Cup
Aug. 24 L.A. Galaxy 2, Atlanta United 0
Aug. 31 Atlanta United 1, Charlotte 0
Sept. 14 Nashville 2, Atlanta United 0
Sept. 18 vs. Miami, 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 21 at Red Bulls, 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 28 at Philadelphia, 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 2 vs. Montreal, 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 5 vs. Red Bulls, 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 19 at Orlando, 6 p.m.
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