Atlanta United will have to put their MLS season opening loss behind them quickly, with one of the biggest games in club history coming up in midweek Concacaf Champions League action as they face Liga MX giants CF Monterrey. Playing in one of the most picturesque stadiums in the world, but more importantly one of the most dynamic attacking sides in North America, the reigning MLS Cup champs will have to be at their best to go back to Atlanta with a shot at advancing to the semifinals.
It all starts at 10 p.m. EST on Wednesday, March 6th. Click here for all the information on how to tune in to the match.
Atlanta United
Atlanta United’s journey to this stage of the tournament stretches back to last year’s unforgettable MLS Cup win, but that was only enough to punch their ticket to the tournament. In a tricky first two matches of this season, they had to face Costa Rican champions CS Herediano, a side that was in midseason form. After a slow start in Central America, they took care of business in the home leg in front of the Atlanta faithful thanks to two goals from Josef Martinez, one more from Julian Gressel and a header from Leandro González Pirez to clinch a 5-3 aggregate scoreline.
Up top is a familiar face in Josef Martinez, whose five-year contract extension following his MLS MVP and Golden Boot winning season meaning fans can expect to see that goal-scoring scowl for plenty more to come. Behind him sit Ezequiel Barco –– who has shown an electric, decisive start to the season –– Tito Villalba, who Atlanta fans know well, and the reigning South American Player of the Year Pity Martinez. Pity has shown flashes of the skill that made him a coveted prospect the world over, but fans can expect plenty more to come from the Argentine phenom.
If the team can get a road goal it could be a huge prospect for the second leg –– and the Five Stripes have the firepower to score against anyone. But the primary test this Wednesday is for the defense and midfield, who will have to be on their top form to keep Monterrey out of their net. Eric Remedi and Darlington Nagbe have been the first-choice central midfield pairing so far, with Leandro González Pirez, Michael Parkhurst and 2017 MLS SuperDraft pick Miles Robinson lining up behind them. But with a long season and depth required to compete on all fronts, head coach Frank de Boer has quality options to shake things up and take Monterrey by surprise. Whoever gets the call to represent the red, black and gold will have to play at a top level to overcome the team’s toughest challenge yet this season.
CF Monterrey
Atlanta United’s opponents in this match are a Mexican powerhouse, sitting a point from the top of Liga MX and unbeaten in eleven matches coming into this week: CF Monterrey, known locally as Rayados. It’s one of the premier matchups in their entire Concacaf Champions League tournament this year, and just a look at the roster can tell you why.
Leading the line is Rogelio Funes Mori, an Argentine striker that has developed into one of the most dangerous goal-scoring threats in all of Mexico. His 14 goals over the Fall and Spring Liga MX seasons so far is the best on the team, and he’s shown he can create a goalscoring opportunity out of nothing. But it’s not just Funes Mori; Maxi Meza and Rodolfo Pizarro are one of the premier attacking midfield duos in North America, while Jesús Gallardo, Dorlan Pabón and Avilés Hurtado bring dynamic pace to the wings. And keep an eye out for Jonathan González, with the teenage Mexican-American midfielder on the verge of breaking into regular first-team minutes.
But Monterrey is skilled in the back as well, and it all starts with El Tri veteran Miguel Layún. The 30-year-old recently moved back to his country from La Liga side Villarreal after a successful European career. He has plenty left in the tank to get up and down the wing and one of the best crosses in the region –– and can challenge the goalkeeper from direct free kicks as well. It’s a team with match-changing pieces all over the field that can give any team trouble, but they’re not invincible. El Salvadorian side Alianza FC held Monterrey to a scoreless draw in El Salvador, and the Mexican giants needed two penalties to scrape a 1-0 victory back in Mexico to advance to this round. So Frank de Boer and his team will have some reference on how to slow this team down –– and he has the quality on the field to pull it off.
Follow along with the match:
Wednesday’s international matchup kicks off at 10 p.m. EST from Monterrey, with all Concacaf Champions League matches this year set to be streamed live on Yahoo! Sports. You can also listen in to familiar voices, with Mike Conti and Jason Longshore calling the match on the Official Atlanta United App and 1380 WAOK AM. Click here for everything you need to know about how to follow the match.
