MLS Eastern Conference Final: Atlanta United vs New York Red Bull

In the Eastern Conference final Atlanta United hosted New York Red Bull. The fact that New York Red Bull grabbed the Supporters Shield in front of Atlanta United which naturally gives this final a special flavour. We anticipated an intense clash, however, the home side beat NYRB quite easily. Lets see how.

Atlanta United started with their usual line-up and formation which was more likely a 3-1-4-2/3-1-5-1 in possession, and it becomes a 5-3-2 shape once they transitioned into defending.

Moreover, with the ball, the side-backs and Remedi would responsible for progress from deep. Thus they stayed deep whilst everyone else moved higher. Thus Remedi was the lone holding midfielder. Gressel and Nagbe had the licence to positioning in the attacking halfspaces. Their role was providing a short option in the ball-side. Therefore, Almiron and Martinez could move in NYRB’s first line, occupying both centre-backs. Their task was to threaten into depth. However, Almiron often dropped into the midfield line between Gressel and Nagbe.