Well… it’s matchday again.
Atlanta United’s form has reached a critical level. Three consecutive matches without a goal and back to back 3-0 losses to the Philadelphia Union and Orlando City have the Five Stripes struggling as they return home for a midafternoon matchup with Nashville SC.
Atlanta rolled out a similar tactical scheme in their second of two road matches last weekend, and received a similar result. Three changes to the lineup came in the form of like-for-like replacements due to injury and suspension, and Orlando City buried the visiting Atlanta side, who went the full match without registering a single shot on target. Even with the absence of Latte Lath, it’s a far cry from the attack most everyone envisioned from this team.
Ideally, a return to the familiar confines of the Benz this afternoon would aid in righting the ship and give Atlanta their first win in over a month. However, a Nashville SC side that put seven goals past Chicago last weekend might just have a say in that. Led by Sam Surridge, Hany Mukhtar, and Jeisson Palacios, Nashville rocketed to a 4-0 lead by the half, and ultimately set a club record with a 7-2 victory. Not exactly promising for an Atlanta side still missing defender Stian Gregersen and midfielder Tristan Muyumba. They’ll have center back Derrick Williams available to make his return from injury, providing a huge boost the defense, but will it be enough against the Coyotes’ lethal attack?
If it’s any solace, that 7-2 result for Nashville came off the back of a 3-0 loss to the Seattle Sounders. Will that be the case for Atlanta? Probably not. But, if there’s any time for a rebound, this is it. Atlanta United’s upcoming schedule will only get harder for the next month, and they’ll need to act fast if they want to preserve any hope of acheiving the team’s goal of finishing in the Eastern Conference’s top four.
Ultimately, the Five Stripes need things to finally click. To do so at home against a neighboring rival would be nothing short of transformational for this club’s start to the 2025 season. Confidence levels continue to dwindle, but could Ronny Deila still have some tricks up his sleeve? Can Latte Lath carry this side once again? When will the pain end? We can only watch and hope.
Kickoff from Mercedes-Benz Stadium is set for an early 2:45 PM ET start this time as the first match of the MLS matchday, and will be televised nationally on FOX and Fox Deportes. Streaming comes as usual 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.
Head on down to our match thread in the comments below as we approach this afternoon’s regional rivalry to discuss all the action as Atlanta United, players and fans alike, seek out an answer.
Atlanta United’s Lineup:
Nashville SC’s Lineup:
How to Watch:
Venue: Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia
Kickoff Time: Saturday, May 3rd; 2:45 PM ET
Available TV/Streaming: FOX, Fox Deportes, Apple TV (with MLS Season Pass Subscription)
Available Radio: 92.9 The Game, La Mejor 1600/1460/1130 AM
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21 comments on match thread.
This team is a failing enterprise. There will be case studies.
We are bad. With the talent we have, this is embarrassing.
honestly we are completely unwatchable
Not defense..keeper old and slow, and 59 and 11 still on the pitch…this coach is dumb
Halftime thoughts:
I dunno. I havent seen anything from Klich that tells me he should be there over fortune.
The bad thing is that this FO cant build a balanced roster, so if we start with Fortune/Miranchuk with Almiron at the 10, we have no competent starting left wing.
How about second half thoughts
Cautiously optimistic. Overall good first half, though Abram made me a little worried towards the end. I was driving and only able to listen until the last 10 minutes or so, but this seems to be working, Fortune has the speed, vision, passing and defensive capabilities to be a winger, just maybe not the endurance. Almiron seems to be involved in a good way, getting the entire front involved.
Alright early signs have us getting what we want with Miggy in the middle. Time to see if all our complaining worked.
Well, let’s see if this works! If we get blown out, I’m sure we’ll hear everybody say, see putting Alexis at the number eight didn’t work! And try to throw it in your face.
Would rather have Cohen and Cobb than Guz and Abram, but at least Miranchuk isn’t at the 10. Also I’d have swapped Fortune and Miggy, but we’ll see how this goes.
Well this is the lineup everyone’s been screaming for. Could be fun. Could see the midfield completely overrun.
Do we know that the released formation is how they will play?
You could still take the same players and have Almiron at the wing, Miranchuk at the 10, and Fortune at the 8.
Saw the lineup names and threw my hands in the air.
BUT! The lineup graphic shows Alexey at 8, Fortune out wide, and Miggy at 10. So now my hopes are up.
The experiment with Fortune on the left wing was pretty obviously a test to see if they could afford to clear money by trading Silva. Seems like the answer was “yes.”
*sigh*…sense of dread permeating the Georgia air.
I hate that I dread going to MBS now.
Let’s be optimistic…
The game starts at @2:45, so the disappointment will happen earlier?
My prediction is Nashville will have more goals than we have shots
But own goals still count as shots on goal. 8 to 7 with us on top and Nashville players responsible for all 15 goals.
I don’t think it works that way.