Atlanta United is riding high after a thrilling 3-2 win in front of a roaring 65,520 fans at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, and now, they’re taking the show on the road. The first away match of the 2025 season is a short trek up I-85 to face Charlotte FC, and you can bet Bank of America Stadium will be rocking. But let’s be real—Atlanta set the standard for passion and attendance last weekend, boasting the third-highest crowd in the world that day. Now, it’s time to bring that energy to the Queen City.
The southern rivalry between these two clubs has been electric, with both sides dead even at 3-3-0 in their six all-time matchups. Saturday’s clash promises to be another nail-biter as ATL UTD looks to make a statement on the road.
Tools to the Match: How Atlanta United Can Take Down Charlotte
Keep the Offensive Fireworks Coming
Scoring three goals in a season opener? That’s a strong start, especially for a revamped attack. Atlanta has only hit that mark in two of their nine season openers, but this squad feels different. New DP signing Latte Lath wasted no time introducing himself, bagging a brace and showing off his speed and finishing ability. Meanwhile, Saba Lobjanidze created four chances, and Miguel Almirón seamlessly slotted back into the midfield, linking up beautifully with Alexey Miranchuk.
For an attack still building chemistry, putting up eight shots on target and registering 2.20 xG was impressive. The challenge now? Refining that final pass, sharpening movements, and turning good opportunities into great ones. If they take another step forward against Charlotte, expect the 5-Stripes to light up the scoreboard once again.
Shut Down Charlotte’s Upgraded Attack
Charlotte FC made a statement by securing a 2-2 draw in Seattle to kick off their season—without their marquee signing, Wilfried Zaha. The former Premier League star is expected to make his MLS debut on Saturday, and Charlotte hopes he’s the missing piece to elevate their attack. Historically, Charlotte hasn’t been a high-scoring team (never surpassing 45 goals in a season), but with Zaha joining forces with Patrick Agyemang, Liel Abada, and Pep Biel, that could change fast.
Agyemang, who netted 10 goals and notched 5 assists last season, is a physical presence with speed and skill to match. Atlanta’s defense, anchored by Stian Gregersen and Derrick Williams, will need to be locked in, staying compact and communicating effectively to neutralize Charlotte’s threats. If they can do that, they’ll put themselves in prime position to take control of the game.
Stay Consistent for 90 Minutes
Atlanta looked dominant in the first half against CF Montréal, pressing high, creating chances, and dictating the tempo. But after the break, Montréal found their rhythm, scoring early and making things tense. While Atlanta still created opportunities, they also looked more vulnerable defensively.
Head coach Ronny Deila stressed the importance of staying compact and disciplined for a full match:
“In the second half, I was not as happy with it because we lost momentum in the match, lost too many balls, were not able to collect passes and we were very, very open when attacking. When you get too open, anything can happen. So, we have to take the first half performance and do that for longer periods to be considered a really good team.”
If Atlanta can replicate that first-half dominance for the full 90 minutes, they’ll be in prime position to bring three points back home from Charlotte.
Final Thoughts
A southern rivalry, a packed stadium, and two teams hungry to prove their mettle—this one has all the makings of a classic. Atlanta United has the firepower to break down Charlotte’s defense and the backline to hold strong if they stay organized. If they execute, the 5-Stripes could be rolling back to Atlanta with six points from two matches and a statement win to kick off their road campaign.
Bring on Charlotte. Let’s get it. #UniteAndConquer
