Exclusive - Former USMNT midfielder Maurice Edu believes Atlanta United's MLS Cup possibilities are substantially advanced with the aid of having a complete pre-season below Gonzalo Pineda.
Following an interim period beneath Rob Valentino, Pineda became appointed Gabriel Heinze's everlasting successor in August. The Mexican has enjoyed an outstanding 7-four-three file so far, guiding the Five Stripes again into the Playoffs after a 12 months out in 2020.
Since calling time on his gambling career in 2017 - throughout which he represented the likes of Rangers, Toronto FC, and the Philadelphia Union, in addition to choosing up forty six senior caps for the USA - Edu has taken up numerous roles within football media.
Since final season, once of those roles has been calling Atlanta United as an analyst for Bally Sports.
Picking an MLS Cup winner ahead of the season is manifestly difficult. But based totally on his reports looking the crew to date, Edu believes Atlanta United have what it takes, particularly following Pineda's first complete pre-season with the crew.
"It’s hard to mention. This is MLS. It’s no longer regularly which you call an MLS winner this early," Edu informed 90min in an one-of-a-kind interview.
"But what I would say is that the pre-season changed into essential for Gonzalo Pineda. He’s come into a crew with a variety of shifting portions. I assume Rob Valentino did a good task steadying the deliver and bringing joy returned to the club. Rob changed into a fan favourite, however additionally a fave among the players. Him being a part of the setup still is crucial.
"But extra so for Gonzalo, he came and finished off the season especially well. It’s not an easy venture to take over a group midseason, to stability the personalities. You have a hungry Josef Martinez, I deliver this man so much credit score. The manner he turned into capable of get better after an ACL injury and score the goals that he did. I’m certain he’d say he didn’t experience a hundred percent himself, but to still score the goals he did is notable. Barco had a amazing season, Luiz Araujo turned into a terrific acquisition, George Campbell stepped up nicely in moments. There had been a variety of positives.
"Now Gonzalo has had the danger to sincerely delve into his group, exercise session what works great for him structurally, how he wants to set up tactically."
Edu then pointed to Atlanta United's offseason recruitment. The Five Stripes picked up Thiago Almada from Velez inside the most high priced incoming switch in MLS history, even as additionally they introduced significant leadership, enjoy, and satisfactory to the coronary heart in their midfield with former Seattle Sounders and Minnesota United veteran Ozzie Alonso - a participant who has worked closely with Pineda inside the beyond.
