It’s only up from here…
…for at least one of the two teams playing this afternoon in Mercedes-Benz Stadium as 0-3-0 Atlanta United host the 0-3-0 Philadelphia Union, a matchup so enticing that it gets the Saturday afternoon spotlight honors and national airtime on FOX. Maybe everyone’s a sicko?
None more sicko than those returning for more after watching the Five Stripes capitulate in the opening 45 minutes against Real Salt Lake en route to a 3-2 loss and the worst start in club history, winless in three while conceding seven goals. But hey, they scored twice thanks to one Alexey Miranchuk, who instantly jumped into the top 10 players in the league as far as goals per 90 goes. Just the facts!
Even amidst all the travesties of last weekend, and boy were there many, the season still rolls on. It’s only March! We’ve got many, many months to go, for better or worse. As Tata Martino emphasized in his last postgame press conference, it’s a long-term project to get Atlanta out of the mess they have been and continue to be in. There’s no way out but through, but in the meantime of it all, there’s still plenty to watch (and hope?) for in Atlanta’s fourth match of the season.
For starters, it’s Philly. There’s no shortage of rivalry between Atlanta and Philadelphia sports teams, and the Union have fallen steadily lower on Atlanta United fans’ likeability rankings for a while now. An always physical opponent, whom Atlanta hasn’t had a win over since July of 2023, and do I even have to mention drivers licenses?
The defending Supporters’ Shield winners currently sit alongside Atlanta in the bottom four Eastern Conference teams to have lost each league game up to this point, and come off of some Tuesday night Champions Cup action against Club America. There’s no more Tai Baribo, Kai Wagner, or Jakob “Double Crossbar” Glesnes to go up against. Now could be the best chance Atlanta’s had in a while to get one over Philadelphia.
Atlanta did look its best thus far last match, to give them something vaguely resembling credit, as they amassed 16 shots with 5 being on target. Matias Galarza in particular looked like a bright spot in his half hour debut from the bench. Without some individual blunders last Saturday, Atlanta United could be three points richer right now. Whether they avoid them this time out, though, will be on the front of everyone’s minds.
Will Reilly remains out, and Juan Berrocal is listed as questionable for today’s match with some discomfort in his hamstring. Jay Fortune is finally off the injury report, but will see a half of action with the 2s tomorrow as he gets back to full fitness.
As we prepare to go again in the Benz, familiarize yourself with this weekend’s matchup with our preview articles below:
Atlanta United vs. Philadelphia Union: 3 questions with Philly Sports Network’s Jimmy King
Insight on the Philadelphia Union from Philly Sports Network’s Jimmy King as Atlanta United faces them at home on Saturday.
Podcast: Atlanta United vs. Philadelphia Union first look and predictions + Lori Lindsey
Atlanta United takes on the Philadelphia Union on Saturday. Lori Lindsey stops by the podcast to help us preview the matchup.
If the couch is more your speed for a rare afternoon kickoff (3:25 PM, to be precise), you can tune in on either FOX or Apple TV, your call. Your English radio broadcast for this one will be on 1380 AM, and the usual spot for Spanish on La Mejor.
No matter where you are, or how things look on the pitch, feel free to chime in on the match down below in our match thread for this afternoon as the Five Stripes finally return home.
Atlanta United’s Lineup:
Philadelphia Union’s Lineup:
How to Watch:
Venue: Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia
Kickoff Time: Saturday, March 14th, 3:25 PM ET
Available TV/Streaming: FOX, Apple TV
Available Radio: WAOK 1380 AM, 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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BACK IN THE WIN COLUMN BABY!!!
Could kind of feel that one coming.
Philly has had a lot of chances, but they can’t shoot.
Great goal. All three dps involved. Love it
Countering is what this team is built for.
Debut for Fafa?
Nice choice there by Almiron
What a subbo5fucking coach..keeps putting the shit keeper in the goal…wtf
I’m sick and tired of Hoyos. This is seriously bad. He should never see the field again
Why does every ref favor Philly????? Every time we play them they dive and get the call, they tackle us and crickets. I’m sick of it
How the heck is that a pk?
Baez forearmed the Philly player in the back of the head.
All the stuff we could see in the stadium looked like it was a flop. Like yes his arm got up, but it didn’t look like it did anything to result in a pk.
I can admit that maybe we didn’t get a good look, but that’s at least why the team argued it so hard.
I am not saying it should have been called a foul. It was a stupid thing by Baez. If that was a foul, the jersey pull on Gregersen that they reviewed should have been a PK for us as well
Ah, ok, I understand what you’re saying.
Now that I’ve gotten a chance to watch a clear view of it, yeah, I’m much more understanding of the pk.
Someone who’s home tell me whether there was anything to the var call. They didn’t show anything in the stadium
Not really.
Quality plays that ball into the open player in the left first time…holding the ball until a defender can recover and get closer to open player is a classic example of some of Almiron’s poor decision making…the play was first time, that turns defenders away and recovering which creates more options…
This lineup could work better…
Man this stadium is empty. I’m sure many of you have already experienced it, but this is my first game in stadium in awhile.
Cooper over Alzate?
Still think Amador is the better LB, but whatever…At least Gregersen is back in at CB.
I think Berrocal picking up a “hamstring injury” and being questionable is giving Tata the easy way to play Gregs without going back on what he said lol
That way he can still come in when, ya know, Gregs falls and breaks every bone. Love the guy and his pace + height in the box, but he’s made of glass
Gregs looks awesome btw
I’m glad I just checked this article. 3:25 was not what I was expecting. Planning on going to the match and I would have been 4 hours late 😂 I’m definitely not as engaged anymore.
It is a great day for a win! Let’s go.
Not wanting to be cruel, but with Berrocal out, we stand a better chance.
GREGERSEN WILL COOK