Atlanta United finally has something it has desperately needed this season: momentum.
After a campaign filled with frustration and inconsistency, the 5-Stripes have put together back-to-back gritty 2-1 victories, giving the club and its supporters a reason to believe that a late-season turnaround could still be possible. Now, Atlanta United has an opportunity to build on that momentum Sunday night when Sporting Kansas City visits Mercedes-Benz Stadium for a 7 p.m. ET kickoff.
The recent run has changed the mood around the club, but nobody inside the locker room is getting carried away. Atlanta knows two wins do not erase everything that came before them. Instead, the message is simple: keep moving forward, one match at a time.
As Tomás Jacob explained after training Friday, the ultimate objective remains getting Atlanta United out of its current situation and back into the postseason conversation.
“We’re taking it game by game,” Jacob said. “When you take it one game at a time, we start thinking about getting into the playoff mix, which is what we always wanted.”
The 5-Stripes certainly showed their fighting spirit during their recent homecoming victory, when Atlanta rallied past the New York Red Bulls at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Atlanta Soccer News covered that memorable night as Atlanta United 2, Red Bull New York 1: Muyumba and Picault Deliver Stunning Homecoming Comeback, a result that gave the 17s plenty to celebrate after a long wait for soccer at the Benz.
Confidence Is Growing Inside the Atlanta United Locker Room
One of the biggest reasons for Atlanta’s improved form has been the emergence of leaders throughout the squad. Lucas Hoyos has been particularly important between the posts, producing crucial saves and providing a calming presence for a team that has spent much of the season searching for consistency.
But according to Jacob, Hoyos’ influence goes far beyond his work on the field. The Argentine defender credited his goalkeeper with helping him adjust to life in a new country and described the relationship as an important source of support.
Jacob’s own recent performances are another encouraging sign. After arriving in Atlanta with the pressure of adapting quickly, the young defender says he has undergone a change in mentality. Instead of feeling like he has to prove himself every time he steps onto the field, he is now focused on being himself, playing his game and continuing to grow more comfortable.
That confidence was evident in Atlanta’s recent performances, and the club’s growing belief has been impossible to miss. The 5-Stripes have also continued to lean on young players during the season, a storyline ASN explored when Adrian Gill’s Long Road Back Ends With Atlanta United MLS Debut highlighted another promising moment for the club’s developing talent.
Head coach Tata Martino believes the team’s leaders become especially important during a congested stretch like this one. Atlanta is closing out a demanding triple-match week, with three games in eight days, leaving limited time for extensive training sessions. In those moments, leadership, recovery and preparation away from the training ground become just as important as tactical work on it.
And winning, of course, helps everything.
Martino acknowledged that victories create a different atmosphere around the squad. Confidence grows, corrections become easier to make and players naturally approach the next challenge with a stronger belief that things can improve.
Sporting Kansas City Presents Another Opportunity — But Atlanta Can’t Take Anything for Granted
Sunday’s opponent gives Atlanta a genuine opportunity to continue its climb, but the 5-Stripes know there are no easy matches in Major League Soccer.
Sporting Kansas City enters the contest at the bottom of the Western Conference and has struggled for much of the season, particularly in front of goal. Still, Martino warned that Kansas City is a side capable of playing attractive soccer and that the club’s recent roster changes make them a somewhat unpredictable opponent.
Atlanta has already seen Sporting Kansas City once this summer. The two clubs met in a July friendly at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Training Ground, where the 5-Stripes earned a 3-2 victory. But Sunday will be a completely different occasion.
This time, the match will be played under the lights at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, with the energy of the 17s behind Atlanta United. The club saw firsthand what that support can do during its emotional return home after a 98-day wait, a moment ASN covered in Atlanta United Returns to Mercedes-Benz Stadium After 98-Day Wait With Celebration-Packed Matchday.
Atlanta has also been making important changes to its roster throughout the season. The club’s evolving squad has been a major theme of the summer, including moves such as Atlanta United Transfers Pedro Amador to Hapoel Be’er Sheva as the organization continues reshaping its group for the future.
What This Means for Atlanta United
A third consecutive victory would not suddenly solve every problem Atlanta United has faced this season. But it would represent something potentially just as valuable: proof that this group is beginning to find a formula that works.
The 5-Stripes have fought through adversity, welcomed supporters back to Mercedes-Benz Stadium and started to build confidence through results. Players like Jacob are growing more comfortable, leaders like Hoyos are helping set the tone and the squad is beginning to look more connected.
Now comes the next test.
Community Spotlight: Building Strong Foundations On and Off the Field
Momentum is built one step at a time. Atlanta United’s recent run is a reminder that progress often comes through patience, hard work and the willingness to keep moving forward—even after a difficult stretch.
That same commitment can be found throughout the Metro Atlanta community. Hayberg Restoration Network helps homeowners take the next step with projects that improve, restore and transform the places they call home. From renovations and restoration work to creating more functional living spaces, trusted local professionals can help families build a stronger foundation for the future.
As the 5-Stripes continue fighting for every point and Metro Atlanta soccer families continue supporting their community, Hayberg Restoration Network is proud to serve homeowners across the region. If you’re considering a home renovation, restoration or improvement project, learn more about their services at Hayberg Restoration Network.
Atlanta United has the home-field advantage. It has momentum. It has a fan base ready to push the team forward. But as Jacob and Martino both emphasized, the work is far from finished.
For the 5-Stripes, Sunday night is another chance to take one step closer to where they believe they belong.
And if Atlanta can make it three wins in a row, the playoff conversation may start to feel a little more real around Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Related AtlantaSoccer.News Stories
- Atlanta United 2, Red Bull New York 1: Muyumba and Picault Deliver Stunning Homecoming Comeback
- Adrian Gill’s Long Road Back Ends With Atlanta United MLS Debut
- Tomás Jacob’s 17 Questions: Meet the Fun-Loving Personality Behind Atlanta United’s Fierce Defender
- Atlanta United Trades Jamal Thiaré to Columbus Crew: A Tactical Shift for the 2026 Season
Can Atlanta United keep the momentum rolling and make it three straight wins? Share your prediction and join the conversation with Atlanta Soccer News.
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Author: Quique Lopez
Quique Lopez doesn’t just cover soccer—he deconstructs it with the precision of a veteran and the wit of a storyteller. A former player who sees the pitch as both a tactical chessboard and a cultural stage, Quique balances sharp critiques with a genuine love for the game’s soul. He’s as quick to call out the ego of a superstar as he is to find the hidden beauty in a local derby.