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Atlanta United FC: Coming Home Stretch Make Or Break for Playoff Push

By W. M. Lawson

ATLANTA, GA - MARCH 05: Members of Atlanta United pose for a team photo before the game against New York Red Bulls at Bobby Dodd Stadium on March 5, 2017 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Mike Zarrilli/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA - MARCH 05: Members of Atlanta United pose for a team photo before the game against New York Red Bulls at Bobby Dodd Stadium on March 5, 2017 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Mike Zarrilli/Getty Images) /
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Atlanta United FC (11-8-6) are in the midst of a strong playoff push in their inaugural season. With the next five games at home, they seem poised to pounce.

Did you catch the game last weekend? It was one of those matches where there was no sweat. Nothing to worry about, other than taking in the magnificence of the venue and the @TerminusLegion. The 5 Stripes roared to 3-0 victory over FC Dallas, baptizing “The Benz” awash in the chants and cheers of 45,000 faithful. Our beloved Atlanta United FC go again tonight (7 PM EDT), and it is the first of five games that will determine this season.

Currently sitting in the 6th Seed in the MLS East, Atlanta United FC seem to be in perfect position to make some moves as the regular season winds down. ATL UTD have multiple games in hand (meaning they haven’t played as many games as other teams) over all of the teams perched ahead of them in the standings.

With these next five games at home, Atlanta can make a significant move in those standings. 7 of their last 9 games are at “The Benz”. Were they to continue their winning ways at home, one would think that a Top-3 finish is certainly within grasp.

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In fact, what about that home? There were two things that stood out to this writer about that Dallas match. One was the crowd. Bobby-Dodd Stadium is a fine venue, and all, and our team’s record there (they haven’t lost at home in last 7 matches) was great, but Mercedes-Benz is something different altogether. it will prove to be a formidable home field advantage.

Not just because of the crowd, though. Did you see the turf? Did you see how fast that field plays? That is going to be something to watch in these next five games. For a team like our beloved Atlanta United who thrive on the forward drive and press, fleet-footed and moving, a fast field makes this team even faster. Good luck with that MLS foes.

This five match stretch starts tonight against New England. They are almost unbeatable at home, but haven’t won a game on the road, thus far, in 2017. I wouldn’t expect that trend to change tonight.

There are 15 total points available in the next five games for ATL UTD. Those five games and 15 points are all sitting inside newly christened Mercedes-Benz waiting to be plucked and gathered.

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If 12 of those points find their way to Atlanta’s side, The 5 Stripes should be playoff bound. It starts tonight.

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