Atlanta United vs. FC Dallas can’t be the dramatic affair that last week against New York City FC was, right?
Despite the resilience (and good fortune) to come from 3-1 down to win 4-3 against NYC, a problem that has plagued Atlanta for much of the season continued: mistakes leading to goals the other way. We’ve not seen this team play all 90 minutes through six matches. Will Saturday against Dallas be any different?
It’s not all bad, though: the main storyline was the tactical changes Ronny Deila made in the second half, moving Saba Lobjanidze to the right wing, Miguel Almiron to the 10, and Alexey Miranchuk deeper in the midfield. Will we see that right out of the gate against Dallas? (Maybe not — see below)
Get ready for Atlanta United vs. FC Dallas
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The book on FC Dallas
Eric Quill, a former player for FC Dallas in 2004 when it was known as the Dallas Burn, was hired as head coach in the offseason; he won a USL League One title with North Texas SC and was a Caleb Porter assistant with the Columbus Crew, then was brought on as Dallas’s head man following a successful stint leading New Mexico United in the USL Championship. So far, not terrible, but it seems as if Dallas is still finding its legs.
Lucho Acosta (three goals in 2025 so far) has been an Atlanta United killer: eight all-time goals scored against them, to be exact. My non-research research finds that it’s the most goals an opposing player has scored against the club (someone fact-check me if I’m wrong). It also bears mentioning Petar Musa, who netted 16 goals in his first season in 2024 and is off to a good start in 2025 (2g/3a).
Lalas Abubakar (free agent) and Shaq Moore (trade with Nashville) were strong veteran adds in the offseason, as was Anderson Julio (trade with Real Salt Lake). Who’s not in the mix? Jesus Ferreira and Paul Arriola, traded to the Seattle Sounders for Leo Chu and $300K GAM.
Atlanta United injury/availability report
Bartek Slisz’s twisted knee won’t keep him out of Saturday’s game, while Tristan Muyumba was given the green light by Deila in his media availability on Thursday. But Derrick Williams has picked up a quad injury and is out, while Pedro Amador worked with an individual trainer this week but won’t play.
Meanwhile, Alexey Miranchuk is questionable with an adductor injury, so we’ll see the Klich/Slisz midfield pairing again if Miranchuk can’t start.
Atlanta United predicted starting XI vs. FC Dallas
Prediction: Atlanta United 3-2 FC Dallas
I was right last week: I said that Atlanta would get back on the scoresheet and someone other than Latte Lath would score for them. Obviously, it was a long and winding road to get there, but we got there eventually.
Originally I thought this game would be a little more straightforward, but the Amador and Williams injuries will make things a little more hairy. Atlanta still wins, though.
Not a bad first half. Should have more than one if our wingers had any discipline to stay on the back post
WHY ARE WE IN OUR AWAY JERSEY AT HOME?!?!?!?!!?!?
Contractual obligations
Chong Qui made some costly but probably also expected mistakes. It might not be the popular view but I’m often good playing homegrown guys with upside even given the mistakes. Sometimes that situational experience can pay off over a long season. But more broadly, I’d be ok with middlin’ seasons if it meant growing talent. Like in this instance, might want to build his confidence…and even just a single bounce back’ish game could set him up for a stretch of solid training and bench time. But also give him some good stuff to work on with some solid minutes clocked. Like zi said, I’m very dev tolerant.
[…] Atlanta United vs. FC Dallas: Match preview, predicted lineups, and score prediction […]
Take Hernandez over Qui – perhaps if we are up a couple of goals in the second half, then bring in Qui. Would prefer Fortune or Muyumba to Slisz as starters – bring in Slisz to close out the deal (and not overwork the recovering knee).
Regarding Fortune – pineda proved over and over that Jay does not work well as a defensive 6 option. He is redundant along side klich as the box to box (or if Miranchuk were to drop deeper). For all his faults, Muyumba is the best ball winning tackler on this team for that role IMO. And when played correctly he is very effective.
I’d go for Tristan in the midfield unless we are replacing klich or alexy)
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Fortune in the midfield to start, is my preference. He has earned the opportunity. Also think it is Edwards or Hernandez at LB.
Agree on LB. Qui did not look good last game.
Muyumba over Slisz, and Hernandez over Qui.
Man mark Acosta, and score more goals than you concede.
Simple, hahaha.
imo Williams out works in ATL’s favor but for me Cobb over Abram. Would not be surprised to see Dom start (Ronnie project) but favor Matt Evans. Miranchuch questionable is a gut punch. This a trap game, I think you under rate the Dallas rebuild. This is the most difficult of the 3 home matches …. Mind tha trap but, stupid me, 4-2 (bet Tommy’s beard
Who is that Alimron we signed to play the 10?
That left defensive side looks sus…
Also, why do we keep having so many little injuries? It’s not like we’re playing CCC and/or Open Cup too. I thought bringing in Tenney would have helped in that area, but it seems like we have so many of these questionable injuries keeping our 11 inconsistent.
Saba should start on the right and Almiron at 10, and I might even prefer Edwards to Chong Qui at left back in this moment.
I was really hoping we could see this game start with the 11 that played most of the second half vs nyc
i would rather see cobb over abram, but i think you’re right about the lineup.
wondering when owen goal will get subbed in. he’s a real difference maker.
Adductor injuries have a habit of lingering. Players always seem to be about to return, but nope.