Six points on the week. Four straight wins. The debut of their new attacking DP. Things are looking very, very up in Atlanta. Who knows how permanent it truly is, but for now it’s simply worth enjoying. And a couple of people, in particular, deserve some love for that, although the list is much longer than just two.
Marcelino Moreno picked up a goal and an assist in Atlanta United’s 2-1 win over D.C. United. Marcie started the year slowly under Gabriel Heinze, existing almost solely on the wing in a lackluster system that clearly didn’t benefit anyone involved. Under Atlanta’s interim manager for life Rob Valentino, he solidified a more central spot in the formation and even dropped a little deeper in the midfield last night to make up for some absent teammates. It clearly benefited him.
It’s all benefited him. And even with a slow start by his and the team’s standards, he’s the team leader in goals with seven and has three assists to his name as well. Even more impressively, American Soccer Analysis’ goals added metric has him as the most productive attacking player in the league. That’s just one metric. But it’s a pretty all-encompassing one. And to be at the top despite playing on a team that seemed scared to try and score for much of 2021 is extremely impressive. It’s past time to show some love to Moreno.
And it’s the exact right time to show some love to Valentino. The guy came in and outright saved Atlanta United’s season. There’s no overstating that. By treating people well and allowing his players the freedom and trust to succeed, he’s led Atlanta to four straight wins and has them tied for seventh in the East on points while looking like a legitimate playoff team.
Now he gets to ride off into the sunset and let Gonzalo Pineda take the Five Stripes the rest of the way. It’s the soccer version of telling your two best jokes and leaving the room. While he’ll continue as an assistant to Pineda, he’ll get his chance leading a team of his own sooner rather than later. And he’ll always be respected in Atlanta.
