Yesterday, we talked about the importance of Atlanta United collecting wins away from home. They’ll have that opportunity on Saturday — albeit without Giorgos Giakoumakis or Xande Silva in their attack — in Queens as they take on NYCFC at Citi Field.
The Five Stripes have been perfect at home: they’ve posted clean sheets in their last two matches at Mercedes-Benz Stadium and have outscored opponents 9-1. They’ve not had similar success on the road as they have yet to win (or score for that matter), but their defense has only yielded three away goals. A bit of a caveat: the two losses have been to the defending champion Columbus Crew and to Toronto FC with a less-than-first-choice lineup.
Players to Watch
The obvious choice for Atlanta is Jamal Thiaré as he’s projected to start for the injured Giakoumakis six days after a brace against the Chicago Fire on Easter Sunday (his birthday). Whether or not he can match his output from that one isn’t as important as if he can play with a spark and bag at least one for an attack that’s sitting on a goose egg on the road.
Meanwhile, scoring has been an issue for NYC, who have just four goals in six matches. They’ll still be without Talles Magno and Maxi Moralez, while Santiago Rodriguéz has scored half of the Pigeons’ tallies this season. They’ve received some good play from Matt Freese; he’s coming off back-to-back 5-save performances against Inter Miami and FC Cincinnati while allowing a goal apiece in those outings.
The Stats
Goals for: ATL 9, NYC 4
Goals against: ATL 4, NYC 8
xG: ATL 7.7, NYC 5.3
xG Allowed: ATL 6.0, NYC 8.7
xAG: ATL 4.5, NYC 4.0
Save%: ATL 81.8%, NYC 70.4
Clean Sheets: ATL 2, NYC 0
Shots/90: ATL 13.80, NYC 10.83
Shot-Creating Actions/90: ATL 23.80, NYC 17.33
Aerial Dual Win %: ATL 61.7%, NYC 55.2%
Yellow Cards: ATL 9, NYC 13
Red Cards: ATL 0, NYC 0
The History
NYCFC holds a 5W-4L-6D edge in the series across all competitions. At home (whether Yankee Stadium or Citi Field) they’re 4-1-3, with the lone loss coming in the 2018 MLS Cup Playoffs. Say what you want about the notoriously small pitch size, but, for better or worse. NYC have used it to their advantage.
Availability Reports
*As of 4/5/2024. Will be updated when official availability reports drop.
Atlanta United
Out:
- Giorgos Giakoumakis (knee)
- Xande Silva (adductor)
- Stian Gregersen (knee)
NYCFC
Out:
- Talles Magno (knee)
- Maxi Moralez (ACL)
Predicted Lineups
Atlanta United Predicted XI
NYCFC Predicted XI
Hi, Atlantistas. Does NYC still play in that very strange baseball field? That made every game there unwatchable, and I thoughi it was unfair to have games there.
Apparently this game is at a different baseball field and I assume it’s a normal size
[…] Match Preview: NYCFC vs. Atlanta United […]
This feels like one of those games that we really need points from to challenge for a top 4 spot.
We don’t have to play on a baseball field. 3-1 Atlanta.
i wouldn’t be surprised with they started Wolff instead of Mosquera and save Mosquera to use as a sub to come on at 60 min mark.
I dont think Pineda rates Wolff
Yep. I have to agree on Wolf starting. Mosquera is just so dangerous to the opposing team when brought in at 60.