After 17 games in charge of Atlanta United, it’s quite apparent that Frank de Boer’s tactical system is built around his three-man midfield. That has been the case since his days as manager of Ajax, where he won four consecutive Eredivisie titles. Possession and game management were the priorities for Ajax’s midfielders under De Boer, and that instruction has carried over to Atlanta’s preferred midfield trio of Darlington Nagbe, Eric Remedi and a newcomer to the role: Julian Gressel.



All of Atlanta’s players are still adjusting to De Boer’s tactics, recalibrating their physical and mental approached to each match. But perhaps no player has had more adjustment to take on than Gressel. During the last two seasons, Atlanta United’s midfielders were expected to disrupt their opponents’ defensive shape with a havoc-inducing press and counter strategy. Gressel was a key part of that in a wide position, and blossomed into one of...