After a draw at Charlotte FC, Atlanta United faces the New England Revolution for the second time this season as they wrap up a stretch of three matches in eight days. The Revs have already beaten Atlanta this year, as goals by Peyton Miller and Will Sands sent them to a 2-0 victory at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on April 22.
Get ready for Atlanta United at New England Revolution
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The scoop on the New England Revolution
8-5-2, 26 points, 4th in East
Last result: D 0-0 vs. Toronto FC (July 22)
After Bruce Arena’s successful spell as its head coach ended in controversy, and after Caleb Porter’s disastrous tenure, New England needed a stabilizing force in its technical area. It turned to Marko Mitroviฤ, a former head coach in the U.S. youth national team setup and a former assistant with the Chicago Fire, Reading in the U.K., and at several clubs in his native Serbia. So far, so good: coupled with a strong influx of youth and the always-consistent Carles Gil, the Revs currently occupy fourth place in the Eastern Conference.
We can’t talk about New England without talking about Gil. Last season, he posted 10 goals and 14 assists for a Revolution side that finished 11th in the East. This year, he’s off to a 5g/4a start. And it always seems as if he pops up with something when he plays Atlanta United: in 13 career matches against them, he has five goals and seven assists. His five goals against Atlanta are tied with D.C. United; only Orlando (seven) has given up more.
Another player to watch for is Miller, an 18-year-old Homegrown with three goals, who just signed a contract extension through 2029-30 and could find himself in the USMNT setup in the future. Luca Langoni (3g/6a) has been instrumental in the attack. Matt Turner, of course, returned to the Revs on loan from Lyon and has performed well in goal in his second stint. Then there’s Jack Harrison, the former NYCFC man, who has been with Leeds United since 2021 but is reportedly on the verge of a transfer to New England.
One bit of news that has been confirmed: center back Brayan Ceballos was traded to CF Montrรฉal on Friday for up to $825K in GAM.
Atlanta United at New England Revolution injuries
Jay Fortune (hamstring strain) remains out, as does Sergio Santos (calf). Matt Edwards, who was day-to-day with a hamstring, wasn’t in the team against Charlotte but will be available for selection against the Revs. Paulo Dรญaz continues to wait on his visa and won’t play.
Neither Emmanuel Latte Lath, Pedro Amador, nor Steven Alzate will be available, per Tata Martino, with Latte Lath and Amador the subject of transfer talks. (A buyout continues to look more and more likely for Alzate.) Meanwhile, Toto Majub, Iggy Suarez-Couri, and Arif Kovac will be back as short-term callups.
On a disciplinary note, Tรณmas Jacob is out due to yellow-card accumulation, with Enea Mihaj and Cooper Sanchez one yellow away from a suspension.
Atlanta United’s projected lineup against New England Revolution (4-3-3)
GK: Lucas Hoyos
D: Elias Bรกez, Jรบnior Alonso, Enea Mihaj, Matt Edwards
M: Tristan Muyumba, Cooper Sanchez, Will Reilly
F: Fafรก Picault, Alexey Miranchuk, Miguel Almirรณn
Score prediction: New England Revolution 1-1 Atlanta United
It won’t be the most exciting match, but Atlanta United, I think, sneaks out of Foxborough with another road point. It won’t be a win, but progress is progress, I suppose.