Gonzalo Pineda admits Atlanta United were inconsistent in 3-0 triumph over Chicago Fire

Atlanta United boss Gonzalo Pineda admitted that his side went through inconsistent periods in their 3-0 victory over Chicago Fire at the weekend.

It was another dominant performance at Mercedes-Benz Stadium for Atlanta in the 2024 campaign, as they've now scored nine goals and conceded just once in their three wins at their home ground. Giorgos Giakoumakis added his fifth goal of the campaign Jamal Thiare added his first two goals for the team off the bench and the team managed to keep their second clean sheet of the season.

Speaking after the win, Pineda was aware of how one-sided the box score appeared in his team's favor. The Five Stripes created seven big chances, recorded 21 total shots (seven on target) while amassing an xG of 2.75 to Chicago's four total shots (two on target) with an xG of just .22.

"Yes, I saw some of the stats," Pineda said after the match. "Very good amount of expected goals, very good expected goals conceded, around less then one, which is good. Only two high value chances for them, eight for us or maybe even more. So, it was it was a good game the stats probably show that but also for me, the game had different phases."

The former Seattle Sounders assistant acknowledged his team were on the front foot in the early stages but didn't have anything to show for it. Atlanta notched 56% possession in the first half with the ball on Chicago's side of the pitch for the most part before Giakoumakis opened the scoring just before halftime.

"The first 20 to 30 minutes, I felt that we were creating some danger in front of there, but not clear chances. We were just around their box and having mobility but not getting clear chances. And then after that, it was a period of kind of inconsistency from our team and not getting exactly what we wanted. Then at the end of the first half a goal comes a little bit of a transition moment, which something we want of course. If we were going to the halftime at 0-0, it could have been a different game in the second half. That helped for sure," he said.

However, the visitors pressed hard for an equalizing goal early on in the second half while the Five Stripes were on the back foot, which Pineda was not pleased about. It appeared as if Atlanta were still in the dressing room while the Fire had come out of the gates ready to spoil the party at the Benz.

"But then even there, the first part of the second half was all for them and they were all over us in the first five to ten minutes," the coach added. "We started the half flat. I didn't like that. Then after that, I felt like we start to do better. After the subs I mean the first touch for Jamal and goal and after that, of course it felt a bit more comfortable for us.

"But again, different parts of the game the stats say something. Yes, I think we were the better team because we created our chances. But there are some parts of the game that I’m not completely happy with," said Pineda.

The Five Stripes return to action this Saturday to take on Eastern Conference rivals NYCFC at Yankee Stadium, still searching for their first away victory of the season.

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