Toronto FC defender Richie Laryea isn’t looking past struggling Atlanta United this season, openly calling Swiss striker Breel Embolo the single biggest challenge his backline will face. Most fans assume a team out of the running poses zero threat, but that logic completely falls apart when you stare down what Embolo has been doing. Laryea knows firsthand: even a team having a rough year can absolutely break your defense if you snooze for a second.
Embolo’s Unrelenting Drive
Atlanta United has totally lost its way in the standings, with their playoff hopes officially dead after Bénie Traoré scored a stoppage-time goal against New York City FC on Wednesday night. Yet, Embolo? He’s finding the net with scary consistency. The dude scored in three of the club’s last four matches *before* that NYCFC loss, and even in that crushing defeat, he buried an 88th-minute header to equalize. That’s his fourth goal in his first 10 MLS matches. Remember, this summer recruit came to Atlanta from French side Rennes for nearly $18 million, beating out Premier League side Ipswich for his services. He got a goal in his MLS debut, had a bit of a slump, but now he’s absolutely regained his form. Laryea actually got a very recent look at Embolo during the World Cup this summer when Canada hosted Switzerland. Both players started, and Embolo even bagged an assist in Switzerland’s 2-1 win. Laryea isn’t shy, calling Embolo a “very good player” who does “a lot of things very good,” noting he’s a “presence up there” and a “pretty complete striker.”
It’s Not Just One Guy’s Job
Toronto FC coach Robin Fraser was on fire Friday, warning his players about this exact danger. He told reporters that trying to stop Embolo isn’t some one-on-one battle; the entire team has to work together to limit his time on the ball. Fraser made it clear Embolo comes from a “big environment” and is a “big player,” saying, “I know the season hasn’t gone the way that they wanted, but they have players that can hurt you individually, they have players that can hurt you collectively.” Laryea absolutely believes this game is going to be a “very good test” for his backline, and their motivation is through the roof because they want to face opponents of this caliber. He said, “They’re a team that on any particular day could be absolutely fantastic, and you just have to be prepared for that because they do have that sort of ability.” And let’s not forget, Atlanta has other dangerous attackers like Miguel Almiron and Aleksei Miranchuk, both Designated Players with serious European league experience. Atlanta head coach Tata Martino is already telling his squad they’ve got to adapt to whatever the opponent throws at them, no matter where they play.
The stakes are sky-high for both sides as they head into Sunday’s clash at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. This isn’t just another game; it’s a true gut-check for Toronto’s defense against a player who simply refuses to quit, even when his team’s season is on life support. You know Fraser’s boys are going to need every ounce of focus to shut down Embolo and keep those other DPs in check.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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