The 2023 schedule was released on Tuesday, and Atlanta United’s 34-match slate includes six games against regional rivals – three at home, three on the road.
Here we breakdown when Atlanta faces off against each rival and where the sides face off.
1. Charlotte FC
- Saturday, March 11 (at Charlotte)
- Saturday, May 13 (in Atlanta)
Much like 2022, Atlanta United’s two matches against Charlotte FC come at the beginning of the season. In 2022, the two matches were only a few weeks apart, and the clubs split the series evenly. Atlanta United won the inaugural meeting between the two sides 2-1, thanks to a stoppage-time game winner from Jake Mulraney. Then, the visitors couldn’t find the back of the net on the road in the first meeting at Bank of America Stadium and fell short 1-0.
This time, the schedule is flipped. Atlanta United is on the road first for a meeting on March 11, then the 5-Stripes host Charlotte on May 13. Also this time around, Charlotte FC aren’t the new kid in the block. With a full MLS season under their belt, this rivalry is set to become even better.
2. Nashville SC
- Saturday, April 29 (in Nashville)
- Saturday, August 26 (in Atlanta)
Realignment means that Nashville SC returns to the Eastern Conference after spending 2022 in the West. That also means, as conference opponents, Nashville SC and Atlanta United will face off twice in 2023. (They met twice in 2022 within a span of two weeks, but only one of those was in MLS competition. The other was in the knockout stage of the U.S. Open Cup and Nashville won 3-2 to advance.)
With a fifth-place finish in the Western Conference last season, Nashville SC qualified for the MLS Cup Playoffs but was ousted by L.A. Galaxy in the first round. They also boasted the 2022 Landon Donovan MLS MVP, Hany Mukhtar, an attacking midfielder who had four goal contributions in two matches against Atlanta last year (two goals, two assists). Mukhtar and Nashville SC will be looking to get back on top, this time from the Eastern Conference side, as this regional rivalry doubles up.
3. Orlando City SC
- Saturday, May 27 (in Orlando)
- Saturday, July 15 (in Atlanta)
Atlanta’s most heated and storied rivalry continues May 27 when the 5-Stripes hit the road to take on Orlando City SC. Atlanta United hosts Orlando later in the summer on July 15 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Atlanta United supporters know the meaning and history behind this fierce rivalry, and it should be fun to see the passion play out in 2023. Atlanta holds an 8-3-6 all-time record against Orlando. Last time these two rivals met, Atlanta United midfielder (and World Cup champion) Thiago Almada scored in the 72nd minute to steal three points for the 5-Stripes at Exploria Stadium. 17s will undoubtedly be looking for Atlanta United to create more special moments like that in these two meetings against Orlando.
