It’s time for a break. Atlanta United gets a whole month off from MLS play after a heavy last few months of coaching changes, player transfers, and not a lot of great results on the field, last weekend’s 2-1 victory over Columbus an exception. Exhausting. How should we fill this time, you ask? MORE SOCCER.
Atlanta United’s 2024 Leagues Cup campaign begins tonight, a later, 8:10 PM kickoff between the Five Stripes and D.C. United. This will already be the third matchup between the two Uniteds this season, with the away side winning in each of the home-and-home series in MLS play. Christian Benteke lit up the scoreboard back on May 11, scoring a hat trick to give D.C. a 3-2 win in the Benz. Atlanta returned the favor on June 19th, winning 1-0 thanks to a dazzling run and strike from Thiago Almada.
In last year’s tournament, the first of the revamped “everyone in” version, Atlanta had the misfortune of being on the opposite end of Lionel Messi’s first start in Miami, and then lost in penalties to Cruz Azul to be sent home in the group stage. D.C. United managed to make it out of their group with Pumas UNAM and CF Montreal, but were eliminated in their first knockout match against Philadelphia.
The Five Stripes will face their other groupmate Santos Laguna next Sunday, again at home, but a win against D.C. will go a long way towards easing the pressure off of a single match against a Liga MX side. We’ll see if Atlanta’s momentum built from two set piece goals and a comeback win over the Crew persists tonight and leads them to their first ever Leagues Cup victory.
As mentioned, it’s an 8:10 PM ET start for this one, with streaming coming from Apple TV with a subscription to MLS Season Pass. Radio coverage is provided in English on 92.9 The Game and in Spanish on La Mejor.
Before then, feel free to join the party in the match thread below for all the Leagues Cup action coming your way from the Benz tonight.
Atlanta United’s Lineup:
D.C. United’s Lineup:
How to Watch:
Venue: Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia
Kickoff Time: Friday, July 26th; 8:10 PM ET
Available TV/Streaming: Apple TV (with MLS Season Pass Subscription)
Available Radio: 92.9 The Game, La Mejor 1600/1460/1130 AM
This thread will be your match thread. We don’t have many rules here. We just ask that you don’t insult each other personally and treat each other with respect. Debates can get heated and that’s fine, but name-calling and petty insults will get you banned. If you see a comment that you feel is out of line, please report it and it will be dealt with.
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Why..why..would you give shittzs another chance. This coach is stupid
well there you go hahaha, Slisz will never take another PK ever again
I wonder what’s going through his head rn. Athletes are tough but he flat out blew it twice
We start off with 1-0 in penalties and Lennon screws it up
Sure he had an assist but I would have to say that was the worst game I have ever seen Lennon play
Straight to pks is dumb
i love it, honestly you don’t see that many goals scored during extra time
At least they could remove that stop/shutter thing.
Or move the goals in play 9v9…
Pew pew pew … shoot out
Well we get a point regardless. So if we win the next one we’re through more than likely. Win the shootout and we’d be through with another tie
Wouldn’t you want rios on the field
For penalties?
Oh apparently he’s injured
We go straight to pens after regulation if tied, so that’s fun
Jamal wtf are you doing
Viva la rios
Saba better take this
Finally getting to see Amador
Is Jamal okay? He truly has looked like he cannot see. I’ve seen him run into more players and jsut flat out missed the ball multiple times
we know what the first question in the post match conference is going to be. Why did Slisz take the PK?
Shitts and lemmon..worst fu’king players. This team is now a shit team
We have 2 strikers on the field and neither take the penalty. Thats the current state of our attacking talent
No one else on the team good at PKs ?
I would guess that was both the first and last pk Slisz ever takes for us.
Well at least he felt that save
But I hope there isn’t anything long term. He seems fine now
It really seems like these commentators are pulling for Atlanta United. Anyone else notice that?
Now that is a penalty
I agree
Jamal looks like he’s blind right now
That seemed pretty obvious
I disagree
Oh Jamal
wow, I never thought I would see the day where Atlanta makes subs to start the half and they subbed in two?!?! crazy
Lennon with a lot Of assists and key passes … for both teams
I feel like we’d be winning 2-0 if Guz was playing
Guzan isn’t saving their second or third goal.
Third was off set piece, I think they’re missing his leadership
Saba time!
Saba !
I’m done, y’all have fun.
Not sure why I bother following this team anymore.
Hopefully you didn’t miss that goal
I did. I turned it back on just to watch the goal, but I think I’m still done.
Wow brooks tackled him. How wasn’t that reviewed?
Maybe playing three center backs is a better idea than two vs benteke and crew
Yea I thiought we had it right last time? Idk what happened
Is this the Guz leadership that we’re missing? We look awful on set pieces.
If you like goals , this is the game for you
If we give up 3 goals in the first 30 minutes but no one is here to see it, did it really happen?
and welp, there’s the one goal DC actually deserved
Do they not call a foul if he takes the shot? A really hard tug was done on rios right outside the box
Kinda playing advantage.
But the tug affected his ability to shoot. So he gets punished for still trying to shoot?
Dang rios
Also where was Hernandez, that was on his side?
corner kick = set piece = that’s not necessarily his responsibility during the set piece.
We’ve generally had one of the fullbacks covering defense
Good point
It’s crazy how the better our attacking plays (especially considering our lack of talent) the more stupid mistakes we make on defense. The defense played clean back when the attacking sucked
I don’t guess cohen is to blame for that one
Wow Lennon.
How the crap do you let that happen Lennon???
Lennon giveth…Lennon taketh away. Such a Muppet. Should the next to be replaced. Can’t mark/play defense, can’t take on anyone one on one. Gives a sun shines on the dogs butt sometime cross for a goal out of 100s of crosses….
Lennon to stroud to back of net …. Stroud ?
Great goal by Lennon and Rios. In surprised the goalie didn’t get a hand on it though
Lennon to Rios to back of net
That was an old school Gressel/Martinez type of goal.
Yall remember when we thought Guz was bad?
Cohen thinks he should be in the conversation for the USMNT??? Really???
Thata a yikes. Like. I know he isn’t really THIS bad but yea
not defending his current play, but it is hard to stay fresh when you barely play and only get to play in matches the team consider non-important
I don’t disagree, but I’m also feeling cynical with this team. My point still stands when you consider that he’s apparently hasn’t been performing well enough to beat out Guzan in practice.
Looking good already 🙄
So why is cohen starting? I’d think the goalie would be the position least needed to be rotated
what’s the point of getting a new LB in Amador if you are not going to use him…
I’d imagine he’s not ready yet, might not even have visa. Also Hernandez is captain so apparently they like him
he can’t be on the active, let alone practice with the team without a visa
Oh he’s active, I didn’t know that. But I’d assume he just ain’t ready let and plus I don’t think he’s supposed to be an automatic starter anyways so don’t get your hopes up
well then it is another bad move by the front office if they are paying for a guy to pay LB, but can’t beat out a guy playing out of position.
I mean not every signing is a starter. He was a free transfer and I’m sure we’re not paying him much
I mean he doesn’t have to be a starter. the question is why is he number 3 after our backup *right* back?
I assume he won’t be long term once he’s accilimated
THIS is why they don’t okay U.S. Open Cups matches at MBS.
How empty is it?
It’s better than it was. But smallest cried I’ve ever seen. But people here are into it
It’s early yet, but there are like 26 people in supporters section.
You can see falcon perfectly. Which brings sharply into focus where the priorities are.
Okay, 89 people.
I don’t know but I’m here and the bathroom I’m in right now (already washed hands) is completely empty. I’m only one here.
I’ll be there.
According to the availability report, everyone should be available for the match, other than Noah Cobb. I hope Amador starts at LB to actually get a chance to see how he plays.