After a ten-day break from match action, Atlanta United (8-3-1) will try to retain its spot on top of the Supporters’ Shield standings on Wednesday as they head to Massachusetts to face the New England Revolution (5-4-3). The Five Stripes will look to bounce back from a disappointing loss last time out against a Revs side that’s coming off short rest and a thrilling 3-3 draw on the West Coast against the Vancouver Whitecaps.
The match kicks off at 7:30 p.m. EST on Fox Sports South and Fox Sports GO. Click here for all the details on how to follow along with the match.
Atlanta United (8-3-1)
Despite a tough home loss to the New York Red Bulls last match, the Five Stripes still hold strong at the top of the Eastern Conference with 25 points this season. And after a week and a half to rest and recover, Atlanta United will be ready to take the field to kick off a packed month of matches that could set the tone for the rest of the season.
No one in Major League Soccer has scored more than Atlanta United’s 26 this season, with Josef Martinez’s 8 –– which is tied for the league lead –– leading the way once again. But Ezequiel Barco’s role in the attack grows week by week, with the young Argentine finding the back of the net three times in the last four matches since scoring his first MLS goal against the Chicago Fire at the start of May. Meanwhile, Miguel Almirón and Darlington Nagbe continue as one of the most creative midfield pairings in the league. And Tito Villalba, who has shown signs of last year’s electric form in substitute appearances since returning from injury, gives manager Tata Martino the best kind of selection headache with his wealth of attacking options.
Despite recent losses, Atlanta United’s defense remains one of the strongest units in the league statistically, with captain Michael Parkhurst showing no signs of slowing down with an exceptional year in the back line. Unfortunately they will be without left back Greg Garza due to red card suspension as well as Leandro González Pirez, who will serve a one-match ban after getting his fifth yellow card of the season in the last match. But with Franco Escobar making his return to training and Miles Robinson showing he is more than capable as a starter in this league, there should be plenty of reinforcements ready to step up for the Atlanta United back line just like they’ve done all season.
New England Revolution (5-4-3)
After parting ways with long-time manager Jay Heaps last season, the New England Revolution took a bit of a gamble by signing former U.S. international Brad Friedel to his first professional head coaching contract. But it’s paid off so far, with a strong start that has them firmly in the Eastern Conference playoff picture early in the year.
The Revs have had two key departures to the squad since the last time Atlanta United faced them: Kei Kamara and Lee Nguyen. Losing two former MVP candidates leaves big shoes to fill, but the Revolution has done that well so far this year. Uruguayan native and American international Diego Fagundez is now the main creative force in the middle of the field –– replacing Nguyen –– and he’s responded with three goals and three assists so far. MLS veteran Teal Bunbury is scoring a goal every other game in his new starting role in place of Kamara, while Ecuadorian Pachuca loanee Cristian Penilla is making a darkhorse case for MLS Newcomer of the Year with five goals and four assists already this year. With U.S. internationals Juan Agudelo and Kellyn Rowe also available, New England has plenty of attacking options at their disposal.
After an impressive start to the season, results have slipped a bit in the past month and a half, with the Revolution winning just twice since April 6th. A high-pressing defense that started so strong has stumbled in recent weeks, giving up 10 goals in their last four matches with only one win in the process. That culminated in a weekend match that saw them gain the lead twice against the Whitecaps, only give it back each time in what ended as a 3-3 draw. New England has been strong at home in recent seasons and have shown they have the personnel to compete with anyone defensively. But Atlanta United’s attack could find vulnerabilities against a side that’s been inconsistent in recent matches keeping opposing offenses at bay.
Don’t miss a minute as Atlanta United tries to keep their hold on the top spot in the Eastern Conference. Make sure you tune in on Fox Sports South for the 7:30 p.m. EST kickoff, and for all the other ways to follow the match, click here.
