Atlanta United Seeks Redemption in Leagues Cup
Atlanta United enters Saturday’s Leagues Cup showdown against Club Universidad Nacional (Pumas) knowing that anything less than a win could jeopardize their tournament hopes. The match, set in Orlando, follows a disappointing home loss to Necaxa in the opening game of Phase One.
With only two group-stage matches remaining—Saturday vs Pumas and Wednesday, August 6, vs Atlas FC at Mercedes-Benz Stadium—the Five Stripes must find form quickly if they hope to advance to the knockout rounds.
Check out our recap of Atlanta United’s first Leagues Cup match →
Key Storylines and Match Context
Head coach Ronny Deila will have nearly a full squad available, though Pedro Amador is sidelined with a hamstring injury. In response, Nyk Sessock has been signed to a Short-Term Agreement and is expected to provide defensive cover. Sessock, who debuted for ATL UTD in MLS play on June 12 against NYCFC, has been a standout for Atlanta United 2 this season.
Availability Report (July 29, 2025):
- Pedro Amador – Hamstring (Out)
- Matt Edwards – Hamstring (Out)
- Jay Fortune – Foot (Out)
The pressure is on Atlanta’s Designated Players—Miguel Almirón, Emmanuel Latte Lath, and Aleksei Miranchuk—to deliver goals after a frustrating start to the tournament.
Why This Game Matters
- Tournament Survival – A second consecutive loss would leave Atlanta United on the brink of elimination.
- Offensive Breakthrough – The team has struggled to convert chances, despite flashes from Latte Lath and Miranchuk.
- Momentum Shift – Winning in Orlando could spark confidence heading into the home finale vs Atlas FC.
Explore our deep dive into Atlanta United’s 2025 Leagues Cup challenges →
What This Means for Atlanta United Fans
For Atlanta United supporters and local soccer families, Saturday’s game is a pivotal moment. A win could keep the dream of advancing alive and give the Five Stripes a much-needed morale boost. Meanwhile, a loss would likely end the campaign early, raising more questions about the team’s consistency in 2025.
The addition of Nyk Sessock reflects Atlanta’s commitment to leveraging their youth pipeline and ATL UTD 2 development system in high-pressure scenarios.
“This is a must-win for us,” said head coach Ronny Deila. “We know the quality we have, and now we need to show it on the field.”
Next Steps for the Five Stripes
- Kickoff: Saturday, 7:30 PM ET, Orlando
- Next Match: Wednesday, August 6 vs Atlas FC at Mercedes-Benz Stadium
- Watch: MLS Season Pass on Apple TV
Atlanta United fans are encouraged to pack the stadium for the home finale and show support online using #ATLUTD and #LeaguesCup.
Your Turn: Can Atlanta United bounce back against Pumas and keep their Leagues Cup hopes alive? Share your predictions in the comments or join the discussion on social media!
