Leagues Cup 2024 has arrived and Atlanta United gets ready to host both of its matches this time around at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. First up is MLS side D.C. United for what will be the third meeting between the two sides this season. The previous two matches have been split, with both teams winning on the road. The 5-Stripes are coming off an impressive come from behind win against Columbus on the weekend. D.C. United scored two goals at the end of their road match at Minnesota to pull out a 3-2 road victory. Leagues Cup is the World Cup-style tournament that features all MLS and Liga MX teams. Club Santos Laguna is the final team in this group. The top two teams in each group advance to the Knockout stage. Let’s take a look at the Tools to the Match presented by Home Depot against D.C. United.
Carry momentum from last week into Leagues Cup
Atlanta picked up four points last week against two formidable opponents in NYCFC (2-2 draw) and Columbus (2-1 win). The team will look to carry that momentum over into this competition. Stian Gregersen scored twice to lift Atlanta to victory on the weekend. He earned Team of the Matchday honors after scoring a brace for the first time in his professional career.
Saba Lobjanidze delivered two pin-point crosses from corner kicks to pick up both assists against Columbus. The Georgian winger has been sharp since his Euro 2024 trip and now leads the team with six goals and seven assists on the season. D.C. United’s defense is allowing 2.0 goals per match this season. Lobjanidze and the rest of Atlanta’s attack are looking to add more goals to that statistic on Friday night.
Limit crosses from wide areas into Benteke
In the first matchup at Mercedes-Benz Stadium this year between the two sides, Belgium striker Christian Benteke took over the contest and single-handedly lifted D.C. United to victory. The former Premier League striker scored a hattrick, all on headers off crosses, and dominated the action in Atlanta’s box.
In the return matchup at Audi Field, Atlanta’s defense switched up its tactics and earned a clean sheet. One of the focuses in that match was to limit the crosses into Benteke. Atlanta’s wide players, wing backs and wingers, did a great job defensively to not allow D.C. United the time and space to pick out Benteke on crosses. That same defensive effort will be one of the tools to victory on Friday night.
Win set piece battle on both sides of the pitch
Atlanta finally broke through with two goals off corner kicks in the match against Columbus. Prior to that, the only set piece goals Atlanta had scored were off penalty kicks (or PK rebounds). Against a tall and strong side like D.C. United, the set piece battle could make the difference in both boxes. Atlanta will need to continue to create scoring opportunities offensively from set pieces. Lobjanidze had some excellent crosses from corners. Xande Silva and Brooks Lennon also are capable of delivering good set pieces into the box for their teammates to attack.
Defensively, Atlanta needs to make sure that it doesn't give Benteke or other D.C. United players free headers in the box. Another important aspect will be to win the second balls or knock downs from long balls. Benteke is so strong and dominant in the air, he’s going to win some headers. Atlanta’s defense and midfield need to make sure to win those second balls and not allow him to find other D.C. United attackers in dangerous positions. If they can do that, the 5-Stripes will have a great chance to kick off Leagues Cup 2024 with three home points.
Fans can tune in on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV on Friday night at 8:00 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).
Leagues Cup
All of the clubs from MLS and Liga MX will compete in a completely reimagined Leagues Cup: an annual, month-long tournament that runs from July 26-August 25, 2024.
