Atlanta United are looking to stretch their unbeaten run to eight straight games this weekend as they take their high-flying offense on the road to face the Chicago Fire. The two teams split their meetings last season with each squad taking three points at their respective homes, so this will be another stern challenge for the Five Stripes as they look to keep pace at the top of the Eastern Conference.
The match kicks off at 8:30 p.m. EST and will be broadcast on FOX Sports Southeast and FOX Sports GO. Click here for all the details on how to follow along with the match.
Atlanta United (6-1-1)
Since the season-opening loss at Houston, Atlanta United is unbeaten, outscoring their opponents 21-5 and scoring multiple goals in six of their seven games since. Leading the charge are Miguel Almirón and Josef Martinez, who are tied with each other for the league lead with six goals apiece. Almirón is particularly hot with five goals and two assists in his last four matches, catching the attention of the league and earning the MLS Player of the Month award for April.
But as fans of the Five Stripes know, those aren’t the only threats in the Atlanta United attack. Ezequiel Barco continues to grow into his role as a midfield starter, earning a spot on the bench in the MLS Team of the Week for his performance against the Montreal Impact last week. And Tito Villalba could provide a selection headache for Tata Martino as he returns to fitness –– a great problem to have as the gaffer tries to fit all of his potent attacking options on the field.
Atlanta United’s league-leading +12 goal differential is due in equal part to their defense, which limited their last opponents to just two shots on target. Captain Michael Parkhurst continues one of his best stretches of his distinguished MLS career, forming a top-tier defensive partnership with Leandro González Pirez and Chris McCann. But that is certainly aided by the midfield partnership of Jeff Larentowicz and Darlington Nagbe, who helped the red, black and gold hold onto 73% of the ball possession in their last match. If they exert their will on their opponents again next week, it could go a long way toward overpowering the Fire in Chicago.
Chicago Fire (2-3-2)
While Chicago sits in seventh place in the Eastern Conference, don’t let their record fool you. With just one loss in their last five matches, the Fire have proven they’re a hard team to beat. That all starts with their lethal forward leading the line, reigning Golden Boot winner Nemanja Nikolic. The Hungarian striker isn’t the type to beat a defense on his own, but he is one of the most clinical finishers in the league. Atlanta United’s defenders will have to be constantly wary of his whereabouts in the box, particularly when crosses come in from the wings.
If Nikolic is the finisher, German legend Bastian Schweinsteiger is the metronome in the heart of their lineup. He has been deployed all over the field –– as a sweeper behind the defense as well as in central midfield –– but wherever he is, he will be looking to get on the ball to dictate the flow of their possession. He may not be as dynamic as he once was, but class is permanent, and his passing range is as good as anyone’s in the league. The Five Stripes will have to utilize their suffocating press to limit his time on the ball and disrupt the Fire’s flow.
Atlanta United’s thrilling attacking style has proven to be must-see television, and Saturday’s match will be no different as they try to take the top spot in the Eastern Conference. Make sure you tune in on FOX Sports Southeast for the 8:30 p.m. EST kickoff, and for all the other ways to follow the match, click here.
