Good morning! Sydney here with this edition of the Scarves and Spikes Daily newsletter. Follow me on X, BSky, IG, and Threads.
Atlanta United 2, Sporting Kansas City 1
Should we call them 2-1 FC at this point?
Atlanta United is on a three-match win streak with a third consecutive 2-1 victory, this time against lowly Sporting Kansas City at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Ugly, pretty, it doesn’t matter. They’re three points back of the playoff race and can get even more in the thick of it by beating Charlotte FC on Saturday. (Also, congrats to Miguel Almirรณn on assists 42 and 43, setting a new team record.)
Let’s be fair: Atlanta United shouldn’t have needed to sweat this out the way they have. By all accounts, this wasn’t their prettiest win. For a team that has been struggling to win, period, Sunday is another step in the right direction and has suddenly put them into the postseason discussion. How will players like Mauricio Amaro and Breel Embolo โ the latter in attendance last night โ help elevate the team through the remaining 13 matches of the season? Could one final piece be added in the final nine days of the transfer window to aid in a possible playoff push? We’ll have to wait and see.
One topic I asked Tata Martino about in the post-match press conference was the way Atlanta was winning matches. It conceded within six minutes against Red Bull New York and nearly went down 2-0, but scored twice to come away with three points. Despite allowing Minnesota United to tie last Wednesday’s match, they found a winner. Last night, they were able to see out a late lead. Here’s what he said, along with a (rather humorous) Argentine idiom he used to talk about his perspective on the team’s current state.
Our coverage of Atlanta United’s win over Sporting KC
Recap: Atlanta United holds on to beat Sporting KC 2-1 for third straight win
Atlanta United vs. Sporting Kansas City: Who even likes that BBQ?
Atlanta United not comfortable despite three-match win streak: โWe canโt get carried awayโ
Breel Embolo discusses process that brought him to Atlanta United
Atlanta United vs. SKC player ratings form (closes at 9 a.m. tomorrow)
Now on YouTube โ Three Takeaways: Atlanta United 2-1 Sporting KC
Jackson and I looked back at last night’s win, what comes next, and Tata Martino’s warning against getting too carried away despite the run. Watch now on YouTube โ
MLS Monday is tonight at 9 p.m. ET on YouTube
We’re taking a look back at Matchday 22’s action, including Nashville SC’s wild comeback against the Columbus Crew, another disappointing result for Messi’s Inter Miami, Dejan Joveljiฤ to Seattle, the new proposed playoff format, and more. Watch on YouTube โ
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Thatโs it for now. See you in the next one.