Atlanta United’s last win came on March 29, a 4-3 victory over New York City FC. By all accounts, that should have been a loss considering Atlanta was down 3-1 with 30 minutes remaining.
Over 40 days later, Atlanta’s record has been 0-3-2. They’re 13th in the Eastern Conference on 10 points — only CF Montreal (3) and Toronto FC (10) have fewer. Will a trip to Chicago to face the Fire be what they need to finally get their season on the right track?
Get ready for Atlanta United at the Chicago Fire
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The book on the Chicago Fire
Gregg Berhalter is the head coach, and this is sort of a reclamation project for him after his time with the USMNT ended. The Fire haven’t been relevant in some time, and Berhalter has plenty of experience in MLS (plus he already lived in Chicago), so while it wasn’t a sexy hire, it was a good one.
And things haven’t been terrible through 11 matches. That’s not to say they’ve been great by any means (as evidenced by a 7-2 loss to Nashville SC), but the bar has frankly been so low for the Fire for so long that a playoff appearance would count as progress. They’re getting good production from Hugo Cuypers, who’s tied for the Golden Boot lead with 7 goals. And maybe they’re biding their time before they can add Kevin De Bruyne in the summer transfer window?
They’ll be without Chris Brady, who was sent off against Orlando City. So we’ll see Jeff Gal, a Chicago native and veteran of the Swedish leagues who signed with the Fire in 2023, make his first career MLS start. It’s definitely in Atlanta’s best interest to test Gal early and often if it’s to have a chance at leaving town with three points, unless he looks like prime Tim Howard.
Atlanta United injury/availability report at Chicago Fire
Stian Gregersen, who continues to work his way back from a quad injury, is out for at least one more match. Meanwhile, Pedro Amador (adductor) is listed as questionable.
Tristan Muyumba, who has been recovering from an adductor injury of his own, was not on Atlanta’s availability report.
Atlanta United predicted starting XI at Chicago Fire
Prediction: Chicago Fire 0-1 Atlanta United
It has to end sometime, right? Atlanta comes out on top with a goal by Miguel Almiron to break a lengthy winless stretch.
Garth came by the supporters section today before the game and greeted all the fans. We chatted with him for a bit, and told him we went to all the other games. He responded by apologizing for the lack of good performances and said it needed to be better. (Genuinely seemed like he meant it and could see the frustration/shame in saying that).
Didn’t work..
It was sad to see them play, no heart, no game and no game plan. This is really a bad team.
When do you think this coach is going to get fired?
I’ve got my eye on Deila for his first choice line up.
Interesting lineup… not mad about it aside from Lennon being on the field over Saba.
Curious to see how Mira and Klich gel on the second outing with them in the middle
I really like it actually.looks like it can really be defensive minded with a mid to low block. Lennon is better up top than when he’s a fullback, I’m guessing he’ll be getting back to help with defense a lot. Honestly, Saba has not been good at all this year. I’m not sad about it.
I hope (and assume Delia’s plan is to have) Mira plays vertical over the top passes and into space from deep to release Almiron and lath on the quick counters.
[…] Atlanta United at Chicago Fire: Match preview, predicted lineups, and score prediction […]
Play Tigashi on the wing and move Jay back to help Alexey.
honestly, so unmotivated at this point. I don’t know if this line up will score 5 goals or score zero.
Agreed….most importantly regardless if we score (or) not anything less than a win takes the cake for the match. Plus, at this point the only thing keeping ATL UTD from the absolute last place in the East is that Montreal hasn’t won a game yet, but there is still the 14th spot in the East up for grabs if we drop another match this weekend (or) at the very least stay where we’re at 13th since Toronto could match our (W-D-L) record with a win tomorrow.