Good morning and happy matchday, y’all! Jackson joining you this A.M. as we prepare to watch Atlanta United take on D.C. United this evening with ten matches to go in the 2026 MLS season.
It’s an 11th vs 14th battle in the Eastern Conference, with the Five Stripes seven points back from the playoff line. Odds are slim at this point, and dropping any further points would push Atlanta further to perhaps an inevitable elimination from playoff contention.
Tonight, Atlanta United will be forced to contend with yet another lethal striker in Tai Baribo, who has scored six goals in his previous seven outings, including a brace on Wednesday in D.C.’s 2-1 win over Columbus. Atlanta struggled last time out to defend Orlando’s key playmakers en route to a 3-2 loss.
Atlanta have been able to find the back of the net in the past week’s crowded slate of matches, scoring twice against Miami and Orlando with the new addition of Designated Player Breel Embolo contributing twice. Can he provide again this time?
As far as availabiltiy, it seems new midfielder Giuliano Galoppo will miss another match while on visa watch, while Alzate will be out with an illness.
Kickoff tonight is scheduled for 7:40 pm in Washington, D.C. at Audi Field, with streaming on Apple TV. Audio will air as usual on 92.9 The Game and La Mejor.
Top Story
Atlanta United at D.C. United: Match Thread and How to Watch
Can the Five Stripes bounce back from the midweek in a trip to D.C.?
Also…
Atlanta United vs. Orlando City: Staff, community player ratings after a 3-2 loss
Rating the players after Atlanta United’s 3-2 loss to Orlando City in the Benz.
Games to Watch
MLS
- Columbus v Red Bull NY, 7:30 PM ET
- D.C. United v Atlanta, 7:30 PM ET
- Cincinnati v Charlotte, 7:30 PM ET
- Miami v Nashville, 7:30 PM ET
- Orlando v Toronto, 7:30 PM ET
- Dallas v Portland, 8:30 PM ET
- Kansas City v LAFC, 8:30 PM ET
- St. Louis v Minnesota, 8:30 PM ET
- Colorado v CF Montréal, 9:30 PM ET
- Salt Lake v NYCFC, 9:30 PM ET
- LA Galaxy v Seattle, 10:30 PM ET
- San Jose v Houston, 10:30 PM ET
Premier League
- Bournemouth v Brentford, 10:00 AM ET
- Aston Villa v Nottm Forest, 10:00 AM ET
- Chelsea v Hull, 10:00 AM ET
- C Palace v Ipswich, 10:00 AM ET
- Liverpool v Fulham, 10:00 AM ET
- Spurs v Everton, 12:30 PM ET
- Sunderland v Arsenal, 3:00 PM ET
La Liga
- Racing 1-1 Alavés (52′)
- Osasuna v Espanyol, 10:15 AM ET
- Athletic v Elche, 12:30 PM ET
- Real Madrid v Rayo, 3:00 PM ET
Serie A
- Genoa 0-0 Frosinone (2′)
- Lazio v Milan, 12:00 PM ET
- Atalanta v Cagliari, 2:45 PM ET
Bundesliga
- Dortmund v Paderborn, 9:30 AM ET
- Augsburg v Leverkusen, 9:30 AM ET
- Mainz v Frankfurt, 9:30 AM ET
- Freiburg v Gladbach, 9:30 AM ET
- Hoffenheim v Stuttgart, 9:30 AM ET
- Cologne v Bremen, 12:30 PM ET
Ligue 1
- Strasbourg v Monaco, 11:15 AM ET
- Auxerre v Nice, 2:45 PM ET
- Le Havre AC v Angers, 2:45 PM ET
- Lorient v Toulouse, 2:45 PM ET
- Paris FC v Lyon, 2:45 PM ET
Liga MX
- Toluca v Atlas, 7:05 PM ET
- Monterrey v Tigres, 9:10 PM ET
- Cruz Azul v América, 11:15 PM ET
Help support independent Atlanta soccer coverage
Every week, Scarves and Spikes brings you original interviews, on-site coverage, live shows and podcasts, and the analysis you won’t find at the bigger national outlets. With 2026 being a World Cup year, Atlanta United facing yet another important transfer window, the U.S. Soccer National Training Center setting up shop in the Atlanta area, and NWSL Atlanta kicking off in 2028, your support helps us do even more.
What you get on Patreon:
- Atlanta United training ground updates
- Exclusive interviews, like our recent sit-down with ATL UTD 2 head coach Jose Silva
- Discord access, talk Atlanta soccer with the SnS team and other supporters
- Patreon-only mailbags
- Grey Gowder’s analytical deep-dives on roster construction, the academy, ATL UTD 2, and more
Membership starts at $5/month. New subscribers get a 7-day free trial.
That’s your rundown for today. Have a good one!