With the MLS All-Star Game now in the rear-view mirror, the eyes of Atlanta turn to this weekend with the reigning MLS Champions coming to town. Atlanta United (14-4-5) have never beaten Toronto FC (6-11-4), but haven’t lost either, with both meetings between the clubs ending in thrilling 2-2 draws. The Canadian side are low in the table but are starting to show signs of their record-breaking form from last year, so this will be a tough challenge for the Five Stripes at home.
Ahead of this weekend’s match, we broke down the Tools to the Match presented by The Home Depot.
Attack the Ant
Lightning fast, with quick feet and a classy touch, Sebastian Giovinco has been one of the premier players in Major League Soccer since the day he joined the league. But the 2015 MLS MVP got off to a slow start this season, with a combined six goals and assists in the first three months of the season, well off his usually torrid pace. But he’s started to look like the Giovinco we know, with a combined 10 goals and assists since the start of June. Now his partner up top, Jozy Altidore, is returning to fitness and the pair look as threatening as ever as they try to spark a late run up the Eastern Conference standings. With a lot of ground still to cover, each match for them feels like a final, so Atlanta United will have to be ready for the challenge of a top team. And breaking up the flow between their two forwards will go a long way toward doing that.
Pressure the Midfield
While Toronto’s forward line takes home many of the headlines, they also boast one of the strongest and most complete midfields in all of Major League Soccer. And now that they’re finally back to health, they are starting to click into top gear. Michael Bradley provides the defensive discipline and Victor Vazquez brings class on the ball and the killer pass –– two of the top players in the league in their position. But a crucial player that slides under the radar is Canadian international Jonathan Osorio, the third member of their central midfield partnership. A jack-of-all-trades who brings energy and legs to the midfield, he also has an eye for goal with eight already this season. It will be critical for Atlanta United players to keep up the pressure and not allow their creators time on the ball in the middle. Breaking up their rhythm and tempo in midfield will be a major focus for the Atlanta United defensive half.
Watch the Wings
There’s a reason Justin Morrow was named to the MLS Best XI last season, and he will be a constant threat for Atlanta United defenders to track. With Toronto often deploying a three-man back line, they require their wingbacks to get forward and provide width to their attack, and Morrow on the left and Ashtone Morgan on the right do just that. They will be constantly looking for overlapping runs to overload the Atlanta United defenders with mismatches on the wings, and will look for long diagonal balls to find them in space. The Five Stripes will have to stay disciplined to keep them at arm’s length, and should look to exploit the space in behind them if they get too far forward. Because if the Five Stripes find a counter-attacking opportunity with a man advantage, they can do real damage against any defense in the league.
Follow the Match:
Kickoff is set for 4:00 p.m. EST on Saturday, with the match set to be broadcast on ESPN and streamed on the Watch ESPN app. You can listen to the game on the Atlanta United app or through one of our radio partners: 92.9 The Game or, for Spanish-speaking listeners, La Mejor Atlanta. Click here for a full rundown of how to follow along with the game.
