Atlanta United’s 3-3 draw against Montreal last week was marked by a number of features: a mental collapse, an inexplicable red card and, of course, an extraordinary and unlikely comeback thanks to two spectacular goals from Brooks Lennon and Thiago Almada.
But what’s been less discussed — perhaps as a reason for Montreal’s dominance for much of the game and especially the first half — was the tactical change made by Gonzalo Pineda to alter the team shape with Marcelino Moreno coming into the starting lineup for the first time this season.
Let’s unpack exactly what Pineda’s dilemma was coming into the match, what happened, and what we might expect in the coming month or two as the team’s best players return to form and fitness.