Atlanta United (11-3-4) are looking to build on last weekend’s dominant performance over Orlando City as they travel to Dallas for the first time in team history to take on FC Dallas (9-2-5). The Five Stripes took all three points in the only ever meeting between the two teams, a 3-0 win in the first ever match at Mercedes-Benz Stadium last year. But Dallas sits tied on points for first place in the Western Conference, so this will be another stern road test for the red, black and gold. Make sure to catch this Independence Day matchup Wednesday at 8:00 p.m. EST on Fox Sports South.
Ahead of this Wednesday’s game, we broke down the Tools to the Match presented by The Home Depot.
1) Stop the Scorers
Since the start of last year, only two players have scored more than four goals for FC Dallas: Maxi Urruti and Roland Lamah, who each have 18 in that period. There’s no doubt who the danger men are when FC Dallas get near the box, and that’s something the Five Stripes defenders will have firmly in their gameplan on Wednesday. Lamah is primarily a left winger who cuts inside –– a taller player at six feet tall and a player that uses his speed to get past defenders. Urruti is a trickier player, creative on the ball and with his finishing, with a pesky workrate and defensive pressing when the opponent is in possession. Cutting off the passing supply to their two primary goalscorers and avoiding one-on-one situations with them on the ball will go a long way toward stopping the FC Dallas attack.
2) Smother the Creators
For the past few years, Mauro Diaz has been one of the premier playmakers in MLS, a true #10 looking to create for his teammates. But the club announced Tuesday Diaz will continue his career in the Middle East after six years in MLS. With their main creator out, the Five Stripes will need to identify their chief creator as early as possible. Will it be U.S. international Kellyn Acosta, who has been left on the bench last match, or could young Colombian attacker Santiago Mosquera get a start after impressive spells on the field so far. Who will be given the keys to the FC Dallas attack is the biggest question coming into the match, and it will be imperative for the Atlanta United defense to diagnose that early to avoid getting caught with the element of surprise.
3) Take the Game to Them
FC Dallas has boasted one of the best defenders in MLS for years in Matt Hedges, a 2018 MLS All-Star and U.S. Men’s National Team center back. He’s a smart, savvy defender, but who will be lining up next to him is a mystery so far. Swiss international Reto Ziegler is the obvious choice, with longtime MLS veteran Maynor Figueroa lining up at left back –– but neither of them are known for their speed either. Meanwhile, Homegrown product Kris Reaves impressed in a clean-sheet professional debut last week, but Atlanta United players could feast on his inexperience. Regardless, there are weaknesses to exploit for players like Miguel Almirón and Ezequiel Barco, two of only 5 players with 20+ successful take-ons and 20+ chances created in the league since the start of May. The Five Stripes will be looking, as usual, to take the front foot in the game, trying to attack the Dallas defense in space on the counter and isolating their defenders in one-on-one situations. If they can do that, their individual skill could be enough to create attacking opportunities against this FC Dallas team.
Follow the Match:
Kickoff is set for 8:00 p.m. EST on Wednesday night, with the match set to be broadcast on FOX Sports South and streamed on FOX Sports Go. 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.
