ATL Standard

Atlanta United returns from the international break with two consecutive home matches, starting this weekend against rivals Nashville SC at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. The 5-Stripes are coming off a significant 1-0 road win against Charlotte FC and aim to build momentum as the regular season nears its end. Atlanta currently sits in 10th place in the Eastern Conference standings, trailing the eighth seed by only two points. Meanwhile, Nashville is positioned at 15th in the East and seeks to end an eight-match losing streak. They are five points behind Atlanta with seven matches remaining in the season.

The recent victory over Charlotte was marked by new midfielder Alexey Miranchuk's first start, where he showcased his ability to create scoring opportunities. Homegrown midfielder Jay Fortune scored his first MLS goal, securing three points for Atlanta. Defensively, the team performed solidly with a backline consisting of Brooks Lennon, Stian Gregersen, Derrick Williams, and Pedro Amador. Goalkeeper Brad Guzan made six saves during the match.

A key focus for Atlanta will be containing Nashville’s attacking midfielder Hany Mukhtar. Mukhtar has been a standout player for Nashville, aiming to achieve 10+ goals and assists for the fourth consecutive season. He has recorded five goals and seven assists so far in 2024 and has historically performed well against Atlanta with six goals and six assists in ten MLS appearances.

Nashville's quick transition play poses a threat with players like Jacob Shaffelburg and Tyler Boyd on the flanks, alongside Sam Surridge who leads the team with eight goals. Atlanta’s defense must remain vigilant to prevent gaps that Mukhtar could exploit.

Converting early scoring opportunities will be crucial for Atlanta’s success on Saturday and throughout the rest of the season. Despite high xG numbers, Atlanta has scored 36 goals through 27 matches (1.33 goals per match), compared to last season's average of 1.94 goals per match. When scoring first this year, Atlanta holds a record of 7-3-2 (W-L-T) and is undefeated when leading at halftime (5-0-1).

Fans can watch the match on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV at 7:30 pm ET or listen via Sports Radio 92.9 The Game (English) or La Mejor – AM 1600 (Spanish).