Atlanta United can maintain their 100% record at Mercedes-Benz Stadium and hand the Philadelphia Union their first defeat of the 2024 MLS campaign when both sides square off on Sunday.
Last weekend, the Five Stripes came back to earn a 1-1 draw with New York City FC, moving up to sixth in the Eastern Conference, two points behind the Union, who claimed a 2-1 triumph over Nashville SC.
Match preview
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Although they failed to emerge victorious from a match that was there for the taking last week, Gonzalo Pineda will be pleased to see his side finally pick up a point away from home, their first of 2024.
The good news for this side is that only four points currently separate them from the New York Red Bulls at the top of the Eastern Conference table, with four of their next five league fixtures taking place at home.
To this stage of the season the Five Stripes have looked unstoppable at Mercedes Benz Stadium, outscoring their three MLS opponents this season by a combined margin of 9-1, while going unbeaten in six successive regular-season fixtures at home dating back to the previous campaign.
The Five Stripes have yet to concede a first-half strike at home this season and have not been behind at Mercedes-Benz Stadium since their final regular-season home contest of 2023 (1-1 draw with the Columbus Crew).
In the early stages of the new MLS campaign, Atlanta have been among the best sides in the league at getting balls into dangerous scoring areas, while they have been particularly clinical at home in the regular season, netting at least once in 21 successive home matches in this competition, a run which goes all the way back to the 2022 campaign.
Their aggressive, possession-based brand of football often leaves them susceptible to conceding, though they have held their own of late defensively against the Union, keeping them off the scoresheet in three straight home matches in the regular season or playoffs.
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It appears as though the Union of old are back, coming from behind last Saturday to remain the only unbeaten team in MLS this season.
With 12 points from their opening six league contests, it is their best start to a domestic campaign since 2022, when they picked up 16 points in their first six games, and a win or draw this weekend would mark the first time in club history that they go unbeaten after seven MLS matchdays.
Jim Curtin's men have picked up six points domestically in 2024 when behind in the second half and have a chance to win three successive away fixtures in this competition on Sunday, which would match their longest winning run outside of Subaru Park from 2023.
Philly have left it late on multiple occasions this year, continuously finding ways to avoid defeat, scoring in the 90th minute or later in three MLS contests and collecting five points as a result.
Not only have they been resilient throughout the campaign, but they have also been tough to beat when leading at the half, going unbeaten in all competitions this season when doing so.
They have never claimed three points against the Five Stripes at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, winning only once versus Atlanta away from home, in the opening leg of their 2021 quarter-final tie in what was known at that time as the CONCACAF Champions League (CCL).
Team News
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Giorgos Giakoumakis, the Five Stripes' leading goalscorer, missed their previous encounter with a minor knock and is listed as day-to-day, though there is a chance he may feature on Sunday, while Stian Gregersen will be doubtful because of a meniscus issue.
On Sunday, Atlanta will be without Derrick Williams, who has a sore calf, Jamal Thiare is dealing with a hamstring strain and Xande Silva will be sidelined because of a groin injury.
Thiare had their equalising goal against the Pigeons last week but got hurt shortly after scoring, with Derrick Etienne taking his place.
Philadelphia could have Andre Blake back between the sticks this weekend, with the Jamaican missing their match versus Nashville with a head injury, Mikael Uhre is probable after sitting out last week due to a foot issue and Kai Wagner is questionable with a bruised leg.
Isaiah LeFlore will be sidelined due to an issue in his right knee, Holden Trent is still recovering from a sore finger and Leon Flach will miss at least three months with a torn pectoral muscle.
For a second successive league fixture, Julian Carranza and Daniel Gazdag had the only Philly goals last weekend, as they are tied for the team lead with four apiece.
Atlanta United possible starting lineup:
Guzan; Lennon, Cobb, Abram, Wiley; Muyumba, Slisz; Lobzhanidze, Almada, Etienne; Thiare
Philadelphia Union possible starting lineup:
Blake; Glesnes, Elliott, Lowe; Harriel, Bedoya, McGlynn, Mbaizo; Gazdag; Carranza, Uhre
We say: Atlanta United 2-1 Philadelphia Union
If Giakoumakis does not feature, it will be a blow for the home side, however they have plenty of attacking pieces to count upon besides the Greek, and we believe they will find a way to get the job done.
All good things must come to an end, and although the Union will likely keep this match close, we expect to see a fast-paced game on the artificial turf, which should favour the Five Stripes.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Joel Lefevre
