MLS

Former Man Utd and Real Madrid defender Heinze sacked by MLS strugglers Atlanta United

By Sports Desk July 18, 2021

Gabriel Heinze has been sacked by Atlanta United after just seven months as head coach of the Major League Soccer team.

The former Argentina international, who played for clubs including Manchester United, Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain, was unable to convert his top-level experience into success on the touchline in MLS.

Heinze departs after his team won just two of their opening 13 games in the regular season, losing four and drawing seven times to sit 10th in the 14-team Eastern Conference.

A 1-0 defeat to New England on Saturday sealed Heinze's fate.

He was appointed in December 2020, and a recent stand-off between the coach and star player Josef Martinez, a former MLS Cup MVP, went down badly with supporters.

 A statement from the club said: "Atlanta United today announced the club has relieved head coach Gabriel Heinze of his duties, effective immediately. Assistant coach Rob Valentino will take over as interim head coach.

"A variety of issues relating to the day-to-day leadership of the team led the club to this decision."

Club president Darren Eales said: "This was certainly not a decision we wanted to make at this point in our season, but it was the right one for the club. Gabi is a talented coach and is undeniably passionate about his craft and the sport of soccer."

Related items

  • Luis Enrique hails PSG's efficiency as they return to winning ways Luis Enrique hails PSG's efficiency as they return to winning ways

    Luis Enrique has lauded Paris Saint-Germain's efficiency as they clinically brushed aside Angers 4-2 in Ligue 1 on Saturday.

    PSG bounced back after a disappointing midweek 2-1 home loss to Atletico Madrid in the Champions League by producing a dominant first-half performance, in which they scored all four of their goals, to remain unbeaten in the league.

    PSG put on an attacking show throughout though, accumulating 3.5 expected goals (xG) from their 26 shots, 12 of which hit the target, while they also struck the woodwork. 

    Luis Enrique, who said on Friday there was a "blockage in finishing", highlighted the improvement in attack.

    "It was a very complete game for our team. It was a game with a lot at stake. We were extremely efficient," Luis Enrique told a news conference.

    "The blockage we talked about earlier is going to end sooner or later. We're in a process of improving."

    While PSG lead Ligue 1 with 29 points, six clear of second-placed Monaco, their qualifying chances in Europe have shrunk as they sit 25th in the 36-team league, just in the elimination zone, midway through the group phase.

    But Luis Enrique is confident his side will show their quality in Europe's elite club competition to reverse their poor form.

    "This team has good players. The quality is there. No matter who's on the pitch, even the newcomers," he said.

    "Maybe it is a question of pressure [in the Champions League]. But we're going to score a lot of goals. The quality is there to rise to the challenge. It's all in our hands."

    Luis Enrique dedicated Saturday's win to his assistant coach Rafel Pol following the death of his wife after a long illness.

    "We want to dedicate this victory to Raquel and Rafel, and, of course, to their family. We share their grief and send them lots of support," the Spaniard added.

  • Inter Miami 2-3 Atlanta United: Slisz completes comeback to upset favourites Inter Miami 2-3 Atlanta United: Slisz completes comeback to upset favourites

    Atlanta United stunned MLS Cup favourites Inter Miami, coming from behind to win 3-2 and setting up another trip to Florida to face Orlando City in the Eastern Conference semifinals.

    Bartosz Slisz scored the all-important winner to ensure Atlanta overturned the deficit in the series, having lost their first trip to Chase Stadium.

    The hosts started brightly, with Matias Rojas sharply turning in the rebound of Lionel Messi's saved shot moments after Jamal Thiare was denied by the post.

    However, the Senegalese striker would soon turn things around with two goals in two minutes – he powered his first shot past Drake Callender after some chaos in the box and was left with a simple tap-in from close range for his second.

    Diego Gomez was denied an equaliser by VAR shortly after, having drifted offside before receiving Luis Suarez's pass, while Brad Guzen made a string of fine saves to keep Atlanta's lead intact.

    He could not keep them out forever though, with Messi peeling away at the back post to nod in an equaliser in the 65th minute.

    It was Slisz who would have the last say though, leaping high to power a header past Callender against the run of play, with Atlanta causing the biggest upset of the playoffs so far.

    Data Debrief: One for the books

    Miami were classed as the favourites to win the MLS Cup this year, but their defeat to Atlanta maybe should not be too big of a surprise, with this their third loss against them this season.

    The Five Stripes ended a six-match winless run on the road in the play-offs (D1 L5), but have still conceded multiple goals in each of their last six such games. 

    Slisz is not known for his goalscoring, but he stepped up at the right time for Atlanta - it was just his second goal in MLS this season, and his first since May 18.

  • Orlando City 1-1 Charlotte FC (4-1 on pens): Torres rallies hosts to set up shootout win Orlando City 1-1 Charlotte FC (4-1 on pens): Torres rallies hosts to set up shootout win

    Orlando City booked their place in the second round of the Eastern Conference semifinals with a dramatic 4-1 penalty shootout win over Charlotte FC.

    The Lions had Facundo Torres to thank, as he scored a last-minute goal to force spot-kicks, where Charlotte were twice denied by Pedro Gallese.

    Orlando had the better of a tight first half, with Torres hitting the base of the right post before sending a header against the crossbar within the first 21 minutes.

    Patrick Agyemang thought he had given Charlotte the lead against the run of play just before the break, but his lob was ruled out for offside.

    Charlotte eventually broke the deadlock in the 81st minute, Karol Swiderski getting a stroke of luck as his shot deflected in off Rodrigo Schlegel.

    It looked like Orlando's chance was gone when Torres saw his 102nd-minute penalty saved, but the Uruguayan kept his composure to slot in the rebound.

    He scored one of the hosts' four penalties but Gallese proved the hero, denying both Pep Biel and Swiderski with fine saves to send them through and set up a meeting with Atlanta United.

    Data Debrief: Leaving it late

    If Orlando were going to find a way back into this game, it was always going to come through Torres, who proved a thorn in Charlotte's side from the first whistle. 

    He had six shots in this game, though only hitting the target twice (his saved penalty and the follow-up goal), and netted his 16th goal in MLS this season when he finally hit the back of the net.

    While Charlotte suffered late heartbreak, it was a deserved win from Orlando, who dominated from the off by creating 2.41 expected goals from their 20 shots.

© 2024 SportsMaxTV All Rights Reserved.