Atlanta United is back at home on Saturday night and faces a tough task when it welcomes Cruz Azul from Liga MX to Mercedes-Benz Stadium. It’s the final match of the Group Stage, and while Inter Miami CF has already clinched the top spot in the group, these two teams will battle for a spot in the Round of 32 Knockout stage. The task is simple for both teams. Win and advance, lose and go home. Either by winning outright in the 90 minutes of play, or by earning the shootout win should the match be tied after 90 minutes. Let’s take a closer look at the Tools to the Match presented by The Home Depot against Cruz Azul.
Be more clinical in the final third
Atlanta had scoring opportunities in its first Leagues Cup match against Miami, despite the 4-0 scoreline. What the 5-Stripes were unable to do was be more clinical in the final third. In a win or go home match on Saturday, Atlanta will have to take advantage of the chances it creates. The team features some of the most productive attacking talent in the league, but they need to find a way to get past Cruz Azul’s defense. The good news is that Atlanta’s attack looks to be healthy coming into the match. Thiago Almada, the team’s assist leader, and Giorgos Giakoumakis, the team’s leading goal scorer, will hope to cause havoc in the Liga MX side’s defense on Saturday night. If Atlanta scores early, they will have a good shot to earn the victory and advance.
Don’t allow Antuna and Rodriguez to dictate the game
Cruz Azul also had several scoring opportunities in its 2-1 loss to Miami and will probably feel similar to Atlanta coming into Saturday night’s match. They feature some high quality players in the region, most notably winger Uriel Antuna and midfielder Charly Rodriguez. Antuna, who spent a season with LA Galaxy, has become a regular starter for the Mexican National Team and will test Atlanta’s defense with his speed and technical ability. Rodriguez, who usually plays in central midfield, has a good ability to dictate the tempo of the game and connect defense to attack. Atlanta’s central midfield will have to be on top of its game in order to cut off the supply to the front for Cruz Azul.
If Atlanta can deny transition opportunities and force Cruz Azul to be patient in build up, that could be a big step to winning the match.
First goal will be crucial in this match
“Goals change games” is a phrase that many coaches, players and pundits will use when describing the beautiful game. With both teams coming off losses in their group stage openers, the first goal on Saturday could be massive. In MLS play this season, Atlanta is 8-1-3 (W-L-T) when scoring the first goal. On the contrast, Atlanta is 1-6-4 (W-L-T) when conceding the first goal. Cruz Azul has not won any of its first four competitive matches this season and will be desperate to get that first victory. Atlanta needs to be alert and ready from the opening whistle and put pressure on the visitors. Getting that first goal could decide the contest on Saturday night.
Fans can tune in nationally on MLS Season Pass on the Apple TV app and on Univision (Spanish) on Saturday night at 7:00pm ET when the action kicks off at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. To hear the action on radio, tune into Sports Radio 92.9 The Game (English) or La Mejor – AM 1600 (Spanish).
Global competition
Leagues Cup, an annual month-long tournament featuring all clubs from MLS and Liga MX, runs July 26-August 25.
