Most fans assume a struggling team poses the least threat to a playoff contender. That logic fails completely when looking at Atlanta United. Toronto FC defender Richie Laryea sees the Swiss striker Breel Embolo as the single biggest challenge his backline will face this season. The Toronto player knows that even a team with a rough year can still break your defense if you do not pay attention.
A Recent Streak That Defies Logic
Atlanta United has lost its way in the standings, yet Embolo is finding the net with scary consistency. He scored in three of the club’s last four matches before their recent loss to New York City FC, according to Waking The Red. That loss came on Wednesday night when Bénie Traoré scored in stoppage time to end Atlanta’s playoff hopes. Despite that defeat, Embolo used a header to equalize in the 88th minute. This was his fourth goal in his first 10 MLS matches.
Robin Fraser, the Toronto FC coach, warned his players about this specific danger on Friday. He told reporters that stopping Embolo is not just about one defender. The whole team must work together to limit his time on the ball. Fraser noted that Embolo comes from a “big environment” and is a “big player.” The coach admitted that the season has not gone as Atlanta wanted, but they still have players who can hurt you. He said, “I know the season hasn’t gone the way that they wanted, but they have players that can hurt you individually, they have players that can hurt you collectively.”
The stakes are high for both sides as they head into Sunday at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. A fee nearing $18 million brought Embolo to Atlanta United from the French side Rennes. This summer recruit beat out Premier League side Ipswich for his services. Following a goal in his MLS debut and a subsequent slump, he has regained his form. Laryea got a very recent look at Embolo when Canada hosted Switzerland at the World Cup this summer. Both players started in a match where Embolo recorded an assist in a 2-1 win.
Laryea described the Swiss striker as a “very good player” who does “a lot of things very good.” He called Embolo a “presence up there” and a “pretty complete striker.” The Toronto defender believes this game will be a “very good test” for his backline. Laryea noted their motivation stems from facing opponents of the caliber they seek. He said, “They’re a team that on any particular day could be absolutely fantastic, and you just have to be prepared for that because they do have that sort of ability.”
The Collective Defense Required
Toronto FC cannot rely on a single person to stop Embolo. The strategy requires a collective effort from the entire backline. Fraser emphasized that the defense must limit what Embolo can do when he has the ball. This approach is critical because Atlanta also has other dangerous attackers like Miguel Almiron and Aleksei Miranchuk. Both of these players carry Designated Player tags and have experience in top European leagues.
Atlanta head coach Tata Martino knows his team must compete against strong opponents regardless of the venue. He told his squad in Spanish that they must adapt to the opponent’s attributes.
