Atlanta United’s foray into the latest Leagues Cup competition begins tonight as the Five Stripes visit Mercedes-Benz Stadium to face the hosts, Necaxa. Wait- that can’t be right. Can it?
It sure is. Welcome to the 2025 Leagues Cup! With all matches being played in the U.S., Atlanta is the designated away team here despite playing in their own stadium, and for all other purposes is the home side. Sure, why not.
In this competition, Atlanta United will get a much needed break from MLS play and have a fresh, clean slate in a competition the club has never won a match in, having lost all four games played over the past two years either in regulation or a shootout. It’s also the only semi-realistic path to a trophy for the club this year, save tanking for the illustrious Wooden Spoon.
This year’s edition will work a bit differently, as you can see more about here. Essentially, all games in Round One will feature interleague matchups, three per team, before the top four teams from each league compete in a single elimination Round Two, starting from the quarterfinals.
After new center back Enea Mihaj’s debut on Saturday, another recent addition could see the pitch for the first time in Five Stripes in Leo Afonso, a winger aquired in a trade with Inter Miami. Juan Berrocal, another recently signed defender, is still awaiting his visa and will not yet be on Atlanta United’s roster. As far as injuries go, Matt Edwards has been added to the injury report with a monthlong absence due to a hamstring injury, joining Jay Fortune as the only other player listed.
On the other end of the pitch, Club Necaxa will face Atlanta for the first time ever as they kick off their Leagues Cup campaign as well. Necaxa made the Round of 32 in last year’s tournament, only to be shockingly downed 5-0 by the Spoon winning San Jose Earthquakes. Gives you a little hope, doesn’t it? The Mexican side currently has four points through three games in the Apertura, most recently playing Club America to a 1-1 draw.
Can Atlanta finally pick up their first Leagues Cup victory while simultaneously snapping an eight game winless run? We’ll find out tonight in the Benz, with kickoff advertised for 7:30 PM ET. Streaming can be found on 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.
Atlanta United’s Lineup:
Club Necaxa’s Lineup:
How to Watch:
Venue: Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia
Kickoff Time: Wednesday, July 30th; 7:30 PM ET
Available TV/Streaming: Apple TV (with MLS Season Pass Subscription)
Available Radio: 92.9 The Game, La Mejor 1600/1460/1130 AM
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They’ve bolstered center backs over and over, but when will we see an upgrade at outside back? Hernandez is the only one I trust right now, and ideally he’s a backup player. Amador has regressed horribly. Lennon never was a fit.
For stretches we look really nice, but this defense caves at the slightest threat.
I dont disagree, but if anything, this game showed exactly why we still need reinforcements at CB.
Right now I’m thinking Gregersen & Mihaj pairing. We’ll see how Barrocal fits in, his stats aren’t super promising.
It is remarkable how quick this franchise went from darling to ugly duck. Could probably be a case study in how not to run a pro sports team.
Started with the “let’s be pragmatic” shift in style of play, and has been a series of cascading gaffes ever since.
Meet the new defense.
Same as the old defense.
No mas
Why the hell would you try to shoot that Lennon?
They weren’t yelling Guuuuuz after that shot Lennon
Berrocal cant get here soon enough
Enea Mihaj is a dude. Too bad Necaxa immediately got it in on the corner.
DW strikes again.
Mihaj with a critical save!
of course the stupid set piece…
Bro Late is cheeks. Don’t give me the “he doesn’t get service” dude has bricks for feet
Yeah that was clumsy.
oh no, lennon. I know it’s probably needed seeing how Necaxa started trying to draw fouls on Hernandez, but still.
I only just now realized Hernandez is still in, and they subbed Amador.
Me 2
Lennon comin’ in hot…CHECK & MATE.
We’ll concede within 5 minutes.
Plus the triple sub.
Not sure if it’s that we’ve been so bad that any good play looks really good, or if we are actually getting better. But I’ve far and away enjoyed our play the last few games than early in the season.
Still immensely frustrating when we give up crap goals. But at least our attack is a little more fun to watch.
I am liking this full press to start the 2nd half
Other than the mess of a play where the own goal was one of the least egregious things to happen, it was pretty good first half. Too bad we’ll probably give it all away in the next 20 minutes.
20 min would be an improvement, considering it happens in less than 15 min
To me at least, the offensive passing is looking a lot better. I’m seeing progressive, incisive passes, decent shot attempts. Our defense is still very passive, mainly because we’ve got very slow players both in backline and the front line
Seems like they’ve been working on one/two touch passes, and making runs.
Brennan..making a difference
That was well done by Miranchuk, that whole play.
That goal..how stupid is Hernandez to standing behind the player he is marking….I know kids who know the basics and are smarter
Why do we still have these shit player…from the goalie, defense, shit mids, useless #59, that #10 has 0 creativity skills..no vision..probably losing this game as usual
This aged well lmao
Keystone cops vibe.
Holy crap that was a new low in defending, I think. We made that goal for them.
hard to blame Guzan on that. poor clearance attempt by Williams
real grass?
There is a EPL doubleheader on Sunday, so it is for that. So the grass will be going away after that
Why is Guz starting 🤦🏻♂️😒
We’ll also be the away team in terms of number of fans I predict
not trying to make it political, but I would not be surprised if a lot of Necaxa fans stay away just because of the current climate. Also seeing a lot of mentions about how the stadium is very light on fans and not seeing any Necaxa jerseys
I predict there will be hundreds of fans in the stadium with tens of fans watching from home
A showing of what “ATL UTD’s” season should have been like as a whole…..instead of what we have been experiencing in reality. Just wait until the regular season resumes
I’m going because the first match is thrust upon me as a STH, and I’ll watch the rest of the los- I mean matches from home because I have MLS Pass and they will be on, but I imagine that will be the majority of the engagement from fans this tourney.
Did the same & saw the commentary on MLS season pass for the “LC” match which was hilarious regarding how ATL UTD was playing & the coaching moves Deila made especially in the 2nd half.
Had no idea the format changed. I think this format is much more compelling with each team getting 3 games against the other league.
MLS had an extremely poor showing on matchday 1, especially considering all games are in the US.
On the flip side there were some sensational goals scored by the Liga MX teams!
Curious if Mihaj gets the start today or if Gregersen will start again and Mihaj gets subbed on late. Afonso will probably be available off the bench