Atlanta United learn a valuable lesson in fighting ahead of the Playoffs

Atlanta United walked away from Red Bull Arena with one point after a hard-fought and desperate 0-0 draw against the New York Red Bulls. The Five Stripes still have yet scored a single regular-season goal at Red Bull Arena, while their only win over the New Jersey side remains in the 2018 Playoffs.

Despite the underwhelming result, a win over FC Cincinnati over the weekend will secure a playoff run for Atlanta United.

Still, Wednesday night was an incredibly tough watch for Atlanta United supporters. Their side didn't manage a single shot during the first half and barely coped with the ferocity of the Red Bulls press.

"Aside from the breakaway early in the second half for them, they didn’t have loads of clear-cut chances. Again, we bent but never broke," said goalkeeper and team captain, Brad Guzan, after the match.

"This game was always going to be ugly. So, no I’m not concerned with chances generated today. Because the game called for a different element and we rolled our sleeves up and fought like crazy.”

If anything, Wednesday was an important lesson for Atlanta United. Too many times this season the Five Stripes have played dazzling soccer or been the ones piling pressure on the opposition, only to be sucker-punched in the final moments due to a lack of concentration or individual errors. Unlike the regular season, you can't get away with that en route to the MLS Cup.

"I feel like the mentality, the toughness, the winning duels, absorbing a lot of pressure, and not conceding a goal is a big positive for the mentality of the team," Gonzalo Pineda responded when asked if the performance vs the Red Bulls was Playoff-worthy.

"That’s how you have to fight to get results in the end of the day. Obviously, the football needs to improve. But the mentality I liked tonight.”

The Red Bulls attempted 15 shots on the night, while they delivered a mammoth 36 crosses into the box. But only five of them connected (14%), with Atlanta's defense putting everything on the line. Their three center-backs - Miles Robinson, Alan Franco, and Anton Walkes - alone combined to make 26 clearances while they totaled 15 successful aerial duels between them.

"They received a lot of pressure, especially inside the box in the opening minutes of the game," said Pineda.

"We conceded a lot of crosses, set pieces, and the players did well. They were up to the level and matched the intensity of the opponent."

Again, the Five Stripes need only avoid complete and utter catastrophe against Cincinnati to book their place in the Playoffs. More importantly, Pineda finally saw a side to his team that hadn't previously been there. Hard lessons in discipline, determination, and togetherness were learned at Red Bull Arena. Lessons that can make Atlanta United a threat in the post-season.