Gonzalo Pineda apologizes to fans after unacceptable loss to Austin FC
Atlanta United head coach Gonzalo Pineda apologized to the fans after the team’s 3-0 fall to Austin FC, claiming the performance was “not acceptable.”
The Texas side quickly opened up the scoring at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, gaining the lead in the ninth minute before adding one more in the first half and sealing the deal with a third in the second 45. Despite Atlanta’s ability to lead in the statistics, with 19 overall shots, four on target and 63 percent possession, the hosts failed.
Pineda’s team is now 2W-7L-4D since mid-April, and subsequently, 11th place on the Eastern Conference table.
“I apologize to the fans, I think they don’t deserve this,” said the head coach after the game.
“They do an amazing job at supporting us and always being there for us and today’s performance was not acceptable. So I apologize. I take full credit for the loss, so it’s on me, and we will do better. I will make sure we will do better next time.”
Pineda also revealed he spoke to the players after the match about the lack of competitiveness on the pitch, but maintained the details of the meeting will remain private.
“I think it’s not only about tactics anymore. Yes we still want to play good football, but today I felt we weren’t ready to fight in the game that they presented to us. I felt that I didn’t prepare the team properly. We will be fighting much, much better next game,” Pineda assured.
With half the season gone, the team must get in gear to secure a place in the MLS playoffs. But they doesn’t have much time to recover, welcoming Real Salt Lake to Atlanta on Wednesday.