Fresh off a 3-1 win over third division Chattanooga FC, Atlanta United next sets their sights on, let’s see here, only the Eastern Conference leaders Nashville SC.
Hope your expectations are… realistic.
While the Five Stripes ride the immense high of their second away win since the 2024 season coming in the U.S. Open Cup Round of 32, Nashville enters off the back of becoming the first MLS team to ever win at Estadio Azteca in Concacaf Champions Cup play. Equally comprable, I’m sure.
Nashville SC have a 7-1-1 record, have scored the most goals in the conference, and have conceded the least. Leading striker Sam Surridge is listed as questionable, but Cristian Espinoza and Hany Mukhtar are more than capable and experienced at causing havoc for Atlanta’s defense. If nothing else, there’s always a chance that Champions Cup hangover from Tuesday might play a role for Nashville, but I wouldn’t bet on it.
Meanwhile, Atlanta will miss the services of Miguel Almiron, who came off after 25 minutes in Chattanooga with knee irritation. He’ll miss 1-2 weeks, along with a questionable designation for Steven Alzate with an adductor injury. How Tata Martino switches up his side to compensate in midfield and attack will be interesting to see. A mostly rotated Open Cup roster saw some bench pieces get minutes on Wednesday, and maybe impressed enough to carry on into the weekend, regardless of opponent.
Let’s check out some head-to-head stats, courtesy of stats.scarvesandspikes.com:
Atlanta’s last meeting with Nashville, at GEODIS Park no less, ended in a surprise win with a Ronald Hernandez header the deciding factor between the two sides. That was the lone MLS road win in 2025 for the Five Stripes. Now, in 2026, Atlanta is well on its way to setting a new “worst start” record for the second consecutive year at 1-5-1, a grand total of four points in seven games.
Is there any way for Atlanta United to prove everyone wrong tonight?
As we gear up for this evening’s 7:39 PM kickoff, hear from the opposition’s side of things with our prematch 3 Questions, this time with SixOneFive Soccer’s Ben Wright.
3 Questions about Nashville SC with SixOneFive Soccer’s Ben Wright
Taking a look at what to expect from Nashville SC on Saturday.
If you’re feeling like some kind of sadist but choose not to make the drive over to the Benz tonight, feel free to tune in on Apple TV, no MLS Season Pass required. If audio is more your vibe, turn the dial over to Star 94.1 for English language coverage, while La Mejor is your go-to for Spanish radio.
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 tonight as the Five Stripes try not to embarrass themselves too badly.
Atlanta United’s Lineup:
Nashville SC’s Lineup:
How to Watch:
Venue: Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia
Kickoff Time: Saturday, April 18th, 7:40 PM ET
Available TV/Streaming: Apple TV
Available Radio: Star 94.1, 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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We r literally in the same spot (14th) we finished last year after the loss to Nashville…….enough said.
That ref sucked, we sucked more. Uncle Arthur might have to skip the next refill on his yacht but ELL has to go. He’s absolute cheeks. This roster is a mess in general but I’ve yet to see any additive play from ELL at all this season.
Partial credit…..not the # of goals, but Nashville pitched the shutout!!!
We need to move on Latte Lath and get a new striker. We need someone who can just get the ball in a weird position and just put a strong shot on target one touch. Seems like they get the ball in the box but they can’t settle it to shoot.
I’ve been hoping latte would finally show up… it’s just not happening. We need to cut bait. He’s just not right for us, league, team… whatever, but time has run out, he has to go.
So we can run over people in the box????
Whatever
Can TI play striker? He is much more entertaining.
I actually thought we played pretty well that first half. Muyumba and Fortune looked good. I think the downside is when both of them get tired, Muyumba because he’s never had good stamina, and Fortune because he’s still building up full fitness.
Lath needs to finish better/get on the end of more things.
I think the hope for fortune might have been higher than the actual performance tonight. Impartial opinion, he had a bad night. Relatively speaking he was not the problem.
It it now abadonly clear..this coach is very bias….only plays his country men..no matter how shitty they are…that is sad. Hoyos should never be here, baiez..is useless, and Sanchez must be a relative. We have better player than these guys but yet they have start every freaking game. Where is Hibbert, Edward’s, Amador???? This coach is stubborn and abd extremely buas, shame on atl managment for not calling him on his poor coaching and choices.
Are you even watching the game? This is not the game to call out Hoyos.
Hey your right..ever wanted this bias coa h here… I been calling him out since he started. He has started the same lineup every game. And the same results. The coach is the problem, with the choices and favorism. By the second game, it was clear. A smarter coach who know how to work with the best players we gave..would have started Hibbert, Edward’s, Amador. Move Jacob to a holding mid, with Galaza, Fortune and Riley or muyumba. And have #10 and ELL…up top. This give us a chance to compete and move forward
We have played enough game with this bad lineup. It time to switch it up and give the younger and better players time. But the coach is stubborn, that why he is failing.
ELL is simply not a good footballer.
First time I’ve seen the grass pitch.
Still banging on the drum to start Amador ahead of Baez, but yet again, we have Baez at LB to start again…
Be ready for the pain!
As SpongeBob would say “I’m ready…….I’m ready”
If we get more than 3 shots on goal it will be an improvement. I am still going to the match, but it feels like a 3-1 loss is coming.
I know Sam Surridge is a question mark for tonight, but if he is a go, then this game has the potential to be worse than that with Hoyos in goal assuming Tata hasn’t learned anything from playing the bench against Chattanooga earlier in the week and it resulting in a win along with having Hibbert in goal. With Hoyos in goal I think it could be 5 (or) 6 goals for Nashville and we might even be shutout. On the flipside though as long as somebody is putting the ball in the back of the net that’s all that matters even if it’s the Boys in Gold.
Did not know that Hibbert played at Chatt. Finally!
Surridge is not on the match day roster, so that is one less weapon to deal with but Mukhtar is in the starting line up
Thank the maker…and DOH!