The 17-19 teams had two large basic clusters: La Banda, and the Americans. Each of them had enough people with shared language/culture to give them identity on and off the training ground/pitch. Those teams were quick to share the bombilla, post dinner photos from Fogo on their socials, make calls from their shoe-phones, and created bonds that showed in on-field chemistry.

The current team reads like a hastily-formed United Nations committee, with our in-rotation players hailing from Greece, Georgia, France, Argentina, Poland, Peru, Ireland, Norway, Portugal, Brazil, Mexico, and the US.

I have to wonder if part of the reason our team looks like to haven’t played together before is because they don’t have much in common culturally. Language must also be an issue (do GG and Almada even communicate directly in a shared language?) which makes it hard to get organized in real time, support each other and so much more. And that cultural isolation translates to being islands of themselves on the pitch. 11 strangers, talented in their own rights, but unable to pool their strengths to achieve as a team.

If they shared the same “language of football” then perhaps those gaps could be bridged. Pineda is on the hook for that, and I’m not sure he’s equipped for that task. In fact, Pineda seems to have a cultural rigidity (even small town?) that makes him the wrong personality to build the needed bridges to support this diverse team.

So while there have been a lot of #PinedaOut comments this weekend, I’d ask if this is more a product of Garth’s Global Thrift Store(TM) approach to creating a roster. Sure, he found some interesting soldiers of fortune to fill tactical gaps. But without an achievable objective in their sights, those mercenaries’ loyalty is likely short lived.

Two things have to change the next training day

1. Cohen is the main goalkeeper now (yes I know my flair), Guzan at 39 seriously, he isn't Neuer. He can be decent sometimes but that's when the other team is absolute dogshit in attack or when the defense bails him out. Cohen has been amazing in the pre-season (besides that one deflection that was debatable) Cohen is getting game-time with the 2s and every time he played, the 2s have done amazing. I know its the MLSNP but the shots you'll encounter are similar since it's a ball and the same concept. His first game vs Chattanooga was amazing with multiple key saves + one in 93' which was pure class that Guz would never save. Cohen has 20x more experience than Guz and is 8 years younger.
2. Change the style of play (if Pineda somehow stays). The repetition of moving to the flanks with Saba/Xande/Wolff/Almada is so common that 95% of the crosses get blocked, taken by the GK or just way off. The tactic of going through the wings are more robotic than Pep Guardiola at Man City. Spoiler: He isn't Pep so his robotic style won't be excused. Does the tactic work? Sometimes and that should never be the answer. And if we don't go through the flanks, then Almada tries to go through centrally and does 1-2s with Muyumba or whoever with 5 defenders surrounding him so the 1-2s are barely effective. Near the end of the game again Minnesota today, we were actually a threat because the team was playing naturally.
3. If Pineda leaves then it should during the summer but before Leagues Cup then this will be amazing but not be overhyped, its the middle of the season and a mid-season overhaul of tactics is something that will take time. My check-list for the perfect manager is: Can blame the players for basic errors, can actually say "it's my fault", find a way for each player, even the bench have a use instead of trying to replace the player, be unique, experience from outside the U.S (like Minnesota's manager, using his experience and bring something new to the MLS), change tactics when something isn't working instead of hope and play when things aren't going right.
4. Keep Boca, I see people say Boca out but to be honest, It's Pineda who can't utilize the players, if they're good players and magically start being bad, it's not Boca's fault. Yes, I was one time a #BocaOut supporter but when he signed Saba and Cohen I was no longer one. Yes I know Saba isn't at his fullest at the moment but thats every player right now. Once the injury list is blank, expect the results to come in. We've seen this with May last year, I believe no wins during that month and after that we were slowly coming back. After Leagues Cup early outage we came back pretty strong. But if this can't be replicated again then yes, Pineda out all the way. Right now, Boca won't kick Pineda out because it's a horrible time to do something like this.
5. Get Almada out of here, yes I know he's been actually decent/good at the moment but getting rid of him now during the summer will be very good for us, good tactical reset because now we don't have a good diagonal crosser for the wings. I feel like getting Almada out will efficient since now we can focus on the team more until we find a new star from Argentina or wherever.
6. Did I write this at 2AM because? Yes. Thanks for reading my TED Talk.

Hear my superstitious heart out. We didn’t lose at home when the bless your heart flag was flying. Haven’t won lately without it there. Bring. It. Back.

My man got golden spike votes from his house 😂

Hello everyone, this is Calum Ewing, writer for Scarves and Spikes. This game… has made us all mad, so I’m taking your questions and I’ll try my best to answer them in an article. Fire away.

https://www.youtube.com/live/YCfStJ8LL7A?si=kXnh76I0YhdC7E2-

Bring this man back and let him cook.

Stop throwing your beers forward

Changes need to be made

I dont remember this quote from any star wars media. Anyone know who said it?

Mosquera starting again after his last home performance makes me really question if Pineda has a screw loose

First come first serve. May the odds be ever in your favor.

Edit: Claimed

Got two that don’t want to go to waste, hit me up

Anywhere to watch the Kentucky Derby in the Benz? Post is 6:57p. At the Tailgate? Thinking everyone will be breaking down by then.

Supporters section is getting batons or flags

https://www.instagram.com/reel/C5MUaJFKTII/?igsh=MWJ1NGw3MDVraXVtNA==

I imagine the red deck parking fills up. How far in advance of the game should we arrive to get a spot in the red deck for tonight's game? We do have the pass for the red deck already. Thanks for any help on this.

Get on your feet, 17’s, and welcome YOUR ATLANTAAAAAA UNITEDDDDD!

The address for the tailgate lot is 5A Beckwith Ct. SW, Atlanta, GA 30314. Everything will get started around 3:00pm.

ALL ATLANTA UNITED FANS ARE WELCOME! You do not need to be a member of an SG to come and hang out. There is no cost to show up.

Please note you can’t buy parking in the lot on a public website. However there is a pay lot across the street and Vine City MARTA is a 5-10 minute walk.

Chant circle (everyone gets together to do a few chants in the tailgate lot) will start at 6:15pm. Visit atlchants.com to learn or refresh on the lyrics. The march to the stadium will start after chant circle. Make sure you follow atl_gulch on IG for all Atlanta United supporters updates.

Get your group of friends, grab some drinks, and join the fun!

Availability for the Minnesota game

What’s everyone’s opinion on that? Do you think it would be good for the club?

MLS PR came out with these handy graphics today. Thoughts?

Local LAFC transplant fan coming in peace. Going to my first ever game on the 25th and wonder what the vibe is like in section 126C. Will I be torn into pieces if I wear any LAFC gear? Excited to visit the stadium and have total respect for United. Looking to have a fun time.