Atlanta United wrap up the post-World Cup road trip this evening in a marquee event between the bottom two teams in the entire league. The Five Stripes took pole position in the Wooden Spoon race over Philadelphia after last weekend’s results, but this head to head matchup could do a lot for either team’s season, for better or worse.
Let’s begin with some head-to-head stats, courtesy of stats.scarvesandspikes.com:
Philadelphia was Atlanta United’s first of three total league wins this season, coming all the way back on March 14th at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. The Union spent the rest of the first half of the season on the bottom, picking up only a single win against Montreal. Since the restart, though, Philadelphia have won each of their two matches, beating RBNY 3-1 and Seattle 1-0. Now looking to make it three in three home games, momentum is squarely on their side here.
Atlanta United, meanwhile, have picked up more or less where they left off, their one point in three matches coming in a 2-2 draw in Charlotte. Last weekend, a rout at the hands of the New England Revolution sunk the Five Stripes to the bottom of the table. Atlanta have once again found themselves in the doldrums, and with reinforcements still being sought out, they may be in it for the long haul. The outgoing transfer of Pedro Amador may be the latest in a series of moves, but the roster still remains very much a work in progress.
One of the two new signings so far, defender Paulo Diaz, is still unavailable as he works out the visa process. Cooper Sanchez is now away on international duty after skipping his U-19 national team call-up last week to help cover in Atlanta’s midfield. Jay Fortune and Sergio Santos remain out due to injury, while Latte Lath and Steven Alzate are expected to remain sidelined. Meanwhile, Atlanta United 2 players Arif Kovac (the current MLS Next Pro golden boot leader) and Toto Majub will join the first team once again on short term agreements.
Before the match rolls around, be sure to check out our three questions series, this time with Philly Sports Network’s Jimmy King:
Atlanta United at Philadelphia Union: 3 questions about the Union with Jimmy King
The scoop on the Union from Jimmy King of Philly Sports Network.
Kickoff’s set for 7:40 PM ET tonight in Chester, Pennsylvania, with streaming available through Apple TV. If audio is more your vibe, 92.9 The Game has your 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 as the Five Stripes attempt to pick themselves up from rock bottom.
Atlanta United’s Lineup:
Philadelphia Union’s Lineup:
How to Watch:
Venue: Subaru Park, Chester, Pennsylvania
Kickoff Time: Saturday, August 1st, 7:40 PM ET
Available TV/Streaming: Apple TV
Available Radio: 92.9 The Game, 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.
Can’t blame Hoyos or Tata. The subs failed to mark well and Philadelphia was bound to score being up a man. Micah put the nail in the coffin at the 26th minute. It became a slow death.
A match full of surprises and an ending that is not at all surprising.
I don’t know why y’all are hating on Hoyos for keeping us in this that long, and finally giving in those two goals to the far bottom corner.
Hoyos wasn’t why we lost. He’s not the reason the team isn’t winning this season. We’re spending like $15 mil for and attack that can’t score.
Overall, I do see the frustration with Hoyos starting though. The team isn’t winning anyway. What are we gaining by playing Hoyos over developing Hibbert?
He probably played his best match for us but he can’t move to his left. At all. He’s the shortest 6’ out there.
I admit I’m not a fan of Hoyos but he had a couple of great saves to keep a clean sheet for most of the match. The save on the quick half volly by Sullivan was fantastic.
Well, if that doesn’t fucking sum up this season, I don’t know what does.
What a disgrace
This just sucks
PLEASE FIRE THIS BAIS SHITTY COACH AND HAVE HIM TAKE HOYOS AND BIAEZ WITH HIM
Honestly, I’m not mad. I’m just impressed the team held on that long after being down a man that long, with the state of the roster as it is.
I agree 100%. If they would have quit after the Red card then we could complain.
Those were two good goal and as a guy that played keeper, hard saves.
My main question was the amount of added time.
We as fans, we are just getting tired of “everyone else” getting calls when playing United. Its getting old. Where is ownership or franchise leadership taking this to the league. We have not had a PK but others have missed 2 or 3.
I agree, but also our offense is so toothless they can’t get into the box long enough to pick up a PK. 😂😭
This is a new low, and that’s saying a lot
Keep put his country men on the field. And we have Hibbert..sitting there…
Hoyos is shit just like TAta
That’s what happens when you just clear the ball and don’t try to possess it
They’ve been down a man for 70 minutes, I wouldn’t expect them to be possessing the ball.
Damn it
Hoyos … keeping us in this
This has been one of my problems with Tata. USE THE SUBS!
We need to sub out Miranchuk and put in either Brennan or Togashi. Someone who can contribute defensively and has some speed (well, more speed than Miranchuk) to hit the counter.
Are we gonna sub some fresh legs in ? At least a forward who can chase long balls?
I did not have Muyumba scoring a worldie on my bingo card
WTH?! Who are these guys , 2-0 ATL
And Tristan of all people
I’ve always thought Tristan was a better player higher up the field, as an 8 or a 10. He knows how to make great runs, they just take him way out of position defensively.
Definitely adding weight to that point tonight!
Miranchuk’s passes have been especially bad tonight.
I will take all the ugly unintended goals for the ATL I can. That was a weak red especially since all the replays somehow can’t show a good reason for it. The VAR was like “uh , we don’t actually have video of that so , uh , sure”
just when I was about to turn iff the match, Miggy bungles a goal in. This season is the Benny Hill theme song manifest.
All of a sudden Miggy remembers how to score
I wouldn’t say he really remembered as much as he stumbled into scoring
He has scored 2 Mickey Mouse goals now. And yet somehow he did it 😂😂😂
Holy crap ! A goal down a man !
I still can’t tell what the red was for
Yeah, it didn’t even look like he really tackled. maybe he clipped him a bit, but I didn’t see anything that looked even close to the Balogun controversy.
It was absolutely not a red. I’ll give them yellow, but minimal force. Horrible call to me
I’m also surprised it seemed like there wasn’t much of a review on it either.
That part made no sense to me
Looks like we’re playing a 3-4-3? I assume because of the shortages in midfield?
<chanting> WOODEN SPOON. WOODEN SPOON. WOODEN SPOON.
The FO needs to make a move with Latte Lath and Steven Alzate. Lack of leadership is killing this team and supporter confidence.
pretty sure, Latte and Alzate are not the only reason the supporter confidence is in the gutters.
I agree but to have two high priced inactive players with nothing to show for them is ridiculous.
Yeah, they’re not the only problems, but having them sold and actually good replacements would make decent progress.