Atlanta United will be on the hunt for three points in their midweek clash with Philadelphia Union, and head coach Gonzalo Pineda has praised his squad's preparation and commitment that has led to impressive recent results.
Ever since MLS' resumption following the Leagues Cup, Atlanta United have lost just once (a 2-1 defeat to Supporters' Shield champions FC Cincinnati) and then went a step further by qualifying for MLS Cup playoffs after their 4-1 triumph over CF Montreal.
With just three games remaining in the regular season, Atlanta will look to push for a top-four finish in the Eastern Conference to ensure home field advantage as they take on Philadelphia Union, Columbus Crew and FC Cincinnati to round out the campaign.
"Players are motivated," Pineda said during media availability on Monday. "Motivation is one thing, commitment is another. I think it's different there...It's about the commitment in those tough moments, in difficult moments.
"These last three [games], if we divide now in the last three, I think it's a perfect schedule for us. I couldn't ask for anything better than facing the fourth-placed, the third-placed, the first placed [teams] in the last games."
"It's perfect. It's kind of a preseason for playoffs, those are going to be finals, those are going to be intense, and those are going to prepare us fantastically for what is coming. And, of course, our objective is to finish in the top-four [in the Eastern Conference], but I would say just being part of those matches with that intensity, that mentality of playing finals, I think it's perfect to [be able] to have success in the playoffs," Pineda added.
Atlanta got the better of the Union in their first meeting of the season in July at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, 2-0. But now, the Five Stripes will be tasked with trying to leave Subaru Park with three points, something that hasn't been done since July 7, 2018 as Atlanta cruised to a 3-1 win before eventually winning MLS Cup later that year.
"I would say that it's been challenging for us to get three points out of some good performances we've had in difficult places," Pineda said. "Again, MLS, it's very difficult to win on away [from home]... One of the best teams in the league, I would say that is, again, a perfect scenario for us to show what we're capable of in [the] playoffs."
The two sides go head-to-head on October 4 as Atlanta will look to earn a win at Subaru Park in Chester, Pennsylvania, for the first time over five years.
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This article was originally published on 90min as Gonzalo Pineda hails 'committed' Atlanta United ahead of Philadelphia Union clash.
