After a 0-0 stalemate in Chicago, Atlanta United travel back home to face Western Conference opponents Minnesota United for the first time since the 2019 U.S. Open Cup Final, a match Atlanta famously won 2-1. Though Atlanta has dominated in most matchups versus the Loons, they are coming into this one seeking a first win in over a month: their last was a 3-0 victory over the Chicago Fire on March 31.
Meanwhile, Minnesota — led by new head coach Eric Ramsay — have started the year very well, sitting 4th in the Western Conference at 5-2-2 (3-0-1 away) and coming off two straight wins, 3-0 away at Charlotte and 2-1 at home vs. Sporting Kansas City. Can Atlanta make up for a few weeks of dropped points and vault into an automatic playoff spot at home?
Players to Watch
Robin Lod has been one of the standout performers in all of MLS this season. Already with 3 goals and 6 assists in 8 matches, he is Minnesota’s United creative engine. Paired with his skills is the fact that he can play all over the field, having been at right winger and in the midfield this year.
Tani Oluwaseyi has 4 goals and 2 assists to his name in 9 matches, with only his last two appearances being starts. He’ll be a threat to watch, especially combining with Lod on the right.
Teemu Pukki only has 2 goals this year, but his calm control of the ball, well-timed runs, and precise finishing make him a very well-rounded striker that Atlanta will need to contain.
The History
Atlanta United are 4-1-1 all-time against Minnesota United. Two of Atlanta’s most famous victories were against Minnesota: the first being Atlanta’s first win in MLS in 2017 with a 6-1 thrashing in the snow on the road and the second being the previously-mentioned U.S. Open Cup victory at home. Minnesota United’s last and only win was a 3-2 win in Atlanta on October 3, 2017.
The Stats
Availability Reports
Minnesota United
Out:
- Jordan Adebayo-Smith (ankle)
- Hugo Bacharach (knee)
- Emanuel Reynoso (non-injury)
- Hassani Dotson (thigh)
- Clint Irwin (thigh)
Atlanta United
Out:
- Jamal Thiare (hamstring)
- Derrick Williams (calf)
Questionable:
- Xande Silva (adductor)
Predicted Lineups
Minnesota United
Atlanta United
Score Predictions
Sydney: 2-1 Atlanta
Tyler: 2-0 Atlanta
Tommy: 3-1 Atlanta
Jackson: 2-1 Atlanta
Henry: 2-2
Let us know your predictions and outlook before the match in the comments below.
[…] Match Preview: Atlanta United vs. Minnesota United […]
just saw the availability report, Gregersen isn’t on the report, so I would I think he ends up starting at RCB
I feel like Pineda never ever starts someone coming back from injury. It’s a Pineda law that they have to come on at 60 their first game back, regardless of situation.
well he was available off the bench last week, so i would think he would start since he isnt even listed as questionable
I not really optimistic this team has got me down, GL has given us new players and a funky bench we should have corrected the issues from last year but haven’t ( losing leads at home, no fluidity in run of play, substitutions and formations don’t match the situation’s after halftime. We are wasting the Almada period he’s going to be sold and well nothing for his time here except a highlight reel of amazing goals. I like GP personally but we as a franchise hired him as a first time HC and gave him time to develop, we’ll times up. I’ve said this before summer transfer window #Pinedaout Rob V interim and search for a seasoned coach that can take this line-up ( which I consider above average ) and turn them into winners.
I strongly disagree with one thing you said – GL hasn’t given us anybody. ALL he did, and I mean ALL he did, was rebuild the analytics department. That has caused Boca and his pals to be able to make much better decisions. But Garth isn’t finding players or playing any meaningful role in who comes. For better or worse, it’s all ultimately up to Boca and his staff.
I hate to break it to you and many others, but AU is NEVER going to hire another “seasoned coach”. Those days are gone forever. If Pineda is ever fired, and I promise you he’s coming back if AU makes the playoffs this year, he will be replaced with another MLS assistant who has never been a head coach before. Here’s how I know that.
What was Garth’s biggest decision in the offseason? Think about it. Whatever you think it was, you’re probably wrong. It wasn’t the decision to get Slisz because as I said earlier, that was a Boca and staff decision. No, the single biggest decision Garth had to make was “Does Boca come back?” His decision was yes he does. Boca will ALWAYS want us to have an inexperienced manager so he (Boca) can control the player decisions without any pushback from the manager. We will never again hire any manager except somebody completely new to the job. Also, most likely somebody outside the org like Pineda was because hiring people outside the org and as promotions into jobs they’ve never had before ticks too many boxes for Arthur Blank. Blank doesn’t interfere with AU, but if Boca wants to hire a new manager and it’s some assistant coach who is on another MLS team and has never been a manager before, Blank is ALWAYS going to approve that move.
I really hope you’re wrong but only time will tell
Any Gregerson news? Time line? Practicing? Anyone know?
Would love Williams timeline too.
THX!!
He was in the 18 at Chicago so should get some minutes soon
I guess I need to say the 20. My old age…
I’m expecting a win. We are due for a good streak of form. And, hopeful that winning changes hearts and minds.
is Cobb still not cleared from the migraines?
I think they said on the broadcast that he was ready to play last game then came down with an illness.
I find it interesting the differences of opinion formed by the split to SaS and FSF. FSF actually seems optimistic about the team, pointing to underlying stats and saying that the team just needs to get a couple starters back to be one of the best in MLS.
Personally, I think our subs have been marginally worse than the injured starters they replaced, and not enough for 3 of them to derail the team; and am not so confident. I see this as a must win game if we’re going to bounce back from the last few results.
I agree that with Silva starting slow there hasn’t been a huge drop off with Wolff/Mosquera. But I think a healthy Silva has way way more potential upside than our bench. I think just one or two starters being out can definitely derail a team. We’ve seen what a huge difference Muyamba and Slisz have made vs last years midfield.
Agreed, but in the game we missed GG Jamal and Rios scored, and in the games we’ve missed CBs Cobb, Abram, and Morales have been excellent. Morales and Abram had a clean sheet even. So I don’t think it’s significantly contributed to our lost points. Though whenever we miss Almada we always struggle.
People always want a reason. No one ever wants “they’re not in good form.” But that’s really the gist of it right now. They dominated in Chicago and got a split result. They gave away 3 points at home twice in just bad moments.
If this team gels in the second half of the season and makes a deep playoff run all of this will be forgotten. It they don’t, they’ll hire a new coach.
Warning! Hot take here 🙂
No offense to FSF (and Doug, and Jason, and Felipe), but I get the impression, they so much hated the way they were treated by our last coaches that the change in access and relationship with Pineda, clouds their judgment and opinions on his performance.
Pineda is such a nice guy that it’s hard to be negative. I feel bad being so negative about his coaching
Until this team proves they can win, I’ll predict draws at home. So another boring one; 1-1.
Must win match?
I’d play Wiley as left winger and bring in Hernandez as left back. Bring in Mosquera in the 2nd half.
You may quite literally be the only person who follows Atlanta United who wants Hernandez to play at all. According to AU themselves in information they released at the start of the season, this is the final guaranteed contract year for Hernandez. I expect him to not return in 2025 unless he has a miraculous change in his play.
Agree. Please do not start Mosquera.
Gross. I’m against any plan that brings Hernandez into the starting lineup when we don’t need to. Wolff has been bad at LW, and Mosquera is really only good as a sub, but I’m not sure moving Wiley up the formation adds enough to the mix to justify starting Hernandez.
Hernandez makes me very nervous, he’s a goal waiting to happen.