Atlanta United returns to Mercedes-Benz Stadium this week for two league matches. On Wednesday, the 5-Stripes will try to turn around their current losing streak when they welcome New York City FC to Atlanta. Four of the team’s six victories this season have come at home and Atlanta will look to add another two this week. Historically, Atlanta owns a 3-1-3 (W-L-T) record at home against NYCFC in league matches. Currently, the 5-Stripes are a couple points below the playoff line. Wednesday’s opponent from New York sits in fifth place and is just one point from the top-four in the Eastern Conference. Let’s take a look at the Tools to the Match presented by Home Depot against New York City FC.
Control the tempo and put shots on target
Coming off a tough offensive performance in Montreal on the weekend, Atlanta needs to regroup on offense and show a response on Wednesday. The team continues to rank among the league’s top-10 teams in terms of shots on target per 90 at 14.6 (5th in MLS), and they will need to attack early and often to put NYCFC under pressure from the jump. Controlling the tempo in midfield and utilizing the speedy wingers to create scoring opportunities could lead to the 5-Stripes picking up a positive result on Wednesday.
Contain Santiago Rodriguez and diverse New York attack
When you look at NYCFC this season, everything in their attack starts with playmaker Santiago Rodriguez. The Uruguayan midfielder has already surpassed his career-high for goals with eight this season and he’s added seven assists, which is tied for the team lead. He’s a crafty attacking midfielder who can pick apart any defense in the league if given time and space. Atlanta’s midfield and backline will need to be aware of his movements all over the pitch and close down passing attempts into the attack.
In attack, NYCFC features several other players who are on the end of Rodriguez’s passes. Hannes Wolf has been lively in his first season in MLS with four goals and seven assists. Alonso Martinez is tied with Rodriguez for the team lead with eight goals. Atlanta’s defense will need to be at their best in order to secure three points.
Continue to tackle well and get crowd behind you
Looking at the statistics, one of Atlanta’s team strengths this season has been tackles won. The team enters this weekend’s two-match week ranked seventh in MLS in tackles won with 248 so far this season. They will need to make timely and correct tackles in order to stop NYCFC’s attack. Winning tackles in midfield or on the break can also ignite the crowd at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. The 5-Stripes will need to provide that boost to the crowd and get the crowd behind them to end this current losing streak. The team has proven throughout the years that once it gets rolling and the crowd gets behind them, Mercedes-Benz Stadium can be one of the toughest places to play in the league.
Fans can tune in on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV on Wednesday night at 7:30 pm ET when the action kicks off at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia. To hear the action on radio, tune into Sports Radio 92.9 The Game (English) or La Mejor – AM 1600 (Spanish).
