The South’s got something to say, and Atlanta United absolutely said it this weekend as they drubbed Nashville SC in a wonderful 4-0 win at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. That makes two victories against stout teams in two weeks – and two clean sheets. The Five Stripes now sit in sixth in the Eastern Conference but just three points from second place, with tons of momentum.
Gonzalo Pineda chose the same starting lineup for this match that he did against Seattle, and it paid off big time. With newcomer Saba Lobjanidze waiting on the bench, Xande Silva got his first start at the Benz.
What happened next was unbridled, fun soccer in a way we haven’t seen from Atlanta United in quite some time. Atlanta came out swinging; Thiago Almada and Giorgos Giakoumakis both swatted the same spot on the same post in the first half, but it would end up being Xande Silva who opened up the scoring, and his Five Stripes account – in front of 67,514 people.
The half would end with Atlanta United up 1-0, and the hefty crowd was subsequently treated to a celebration of the 404 kit by Goodie Mob performing near the capo stand. Thiago Almada, Miles Robinson, and fellow newcomer Saba Lobjanidze would all tack on goals in the second half, while running all over a Nashville defense that was sorely missing Walker Zimmerman.
Queue up the next point.
This team has threats coming from everywhere. Having Walker Zimmerman on the backline likely wouldn’t have changed the ultimate outcome of this match. The other “excuse” being floated is Nashville’s League’s Cup hangover, but at the end of the day, Atlanta United played good soccer. They outplayed Seattle last week (in Seattle) and they dominated Nashville this week.
Gonzalo Pineda mentioned earlier in the season that Atlanta would need to earn the respect of opponents and the league. Matches like these past two will certainly help with that, and the squad has a huge test ahead of them on Wednesday: FC Cincinnati.
The Supporter’s Shield leaders will most certainly be a tough fight, even at home, but it provides Atlanta United a wonderful opportunity to show that this summer transfer window was no fluke. The acquisitions of Tristan Muyumba, Xande Silva, and Saba Lobjanidze are already paying off in tangible ways, and that’s not even including the fourth signing of Jamal Thiaré. Where Muyumba has bossed the midfield and Saba and Xande have added finesse, speed, and goal-scoring threats to the wings, Jamal Thiaré will bring relief to Giorgos Giakoumakis being Atlanta’s only true number 9.
The match against Nashville was a statement win, and the buzz around the team is certainly the highest it’s been in quite some time. With the addition of a new kit and the recent summer transfer window a resounding success, can the Five Stripes hit that top four spot that settles them into home field advantage in the playoffs?
If you haven’t already, go check out our player ratings video from this match against Nashville, and like and subscribe over on Youtube!