Atlanta United FC: Revenge Match Against New York City FC Sunday!
By W. M. Lawson
Atlanta United FC hosts New York City FC Sunday at 5 PM, and after the debacle in NYC three weeks ago, The Five Stripes are looking to avenge and get revenge.
Three weeks ago Atlanta United FC went to the Bronx for their first ever showdown with NYCFC and it didn’t go well. In fact, the 3-1 loss was the second 3-1 loss in a row, and ATL players point to that game as their worst played of the season, thus far. Sunday at 5 PM in Atlanta they look to right that record.
To be sure, NYCFC is a good ball club. Losing on the road to that team isn’t embarrassing, necessarily. Especially, when one takes into account how many road games the newly minted ATL UTD squad has played on the road, and had played on the road at the time of their last meeting.
It was, however, how they lost that was a little disappointing and disconcerting. In short, David Villa was all over the field, and for the first time of the young season, the fleet-footed, high scoring ATL UTD team wasn’t the first to score. In fact, they never led.
Sunday marks an important match for our beloved Atlanta United FC. It isn’t just a rematch, and it isn’t just a revenge opportunity, United has chance to make a statement at home on Sunday. A big statement.
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Currently sitting in 9th place, after 11 matches played, and with 15 points, The Five Stripes have a chance to make a playoff move and make playoff waves.
NYC is a good squad, and a home win against that team, would give ATL a two game home win streak, and a much-needed three points.
Three points could possibly move them to 6th in the Eastern Conference, and solidly in the playoff conversation.
There are some things to note, though. This will be the first match played without the watchful eye of Manager Tata Martino. He was sent off in the 4-1 win against Houston and is suspended for this match. That is significant.
Also of note, there was a strategy shift in personnel. According to MLSsoccer.com:
"It won’t go unnoticed that both results coincided with a tactical shift, which saw the speedy and hard-working Hector “Tito” Villalba move into the center forward role in place of target man Kenwyne Jones. Until starter Josef Martinez works his way back to full fitness, it’s hard to see the team move away from that formula."
Jones seemed to struggle against NYCFC and DC United, and the move has paid off, thus far. If that continues, and Miguel Almirón can continue the fire-breathing hat trick effort from the Houston win, Atlanta has a real chance to make some noise. And this is still all without star player, and leading scorer, Martinez.
A few weeks ago, before the home loss against DC United, Alexi Lalas intoned that, for Atlanta to be respected, they have to win home matches. Atlanta United FC has a chance to move the needle Sunday at 5 PM at Bobby Dodd Stadium. A win, and the accompanying three points, would place them properly in the playoff pool.
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Most don’t know this, but ATL UTD is leading the entire MLS in “Highest Average Attendance”. This will be their 5th straight sellout (shout to the family @TerminusLegion). The fans will be rocking. The stadium will be rocking. All cheering for those 5 Stripes to get those 3 points.