Alright, Atlanta! After a grueling week on the road, our Five Stripes are back home and ready for more action! Coach Deila loves these game-packed weeks, and we do too when it means seeing our boys on the pitch!
Tonight, Saturday, May 17th, Mercedes-Benz Stadium will be rocking as we face Philadelphia Union! Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. ET, so get those scarves on and get ready to bring the noise for our Atlanta United! You can still snag those single-match tickets if you want to be part of the electric atmosphere!
Good Health Heading Home!
That hard-earned draw and clean sheet in open play against Austin in the midweek was a step in the right direction, especially with some key players missing. But great news, ATL! Both Pedro Amador (adductor) and Brooks Lennon (hamstring) are back and ready to go tonight! The only player still on the availability report is Stian Gregersen (quadriceps).
Saba Spark Ignites Hope!
Saba Lobjanidze was an absolute game-changer coming off the bench against Austin! That blistering speed and pinpoint cross for Thiaré’s equalizer in the 92nd minute was pure magic! Saba brings that unmatched intensity every time he steps on the pitch, and he’s ready to bring that fire against Philly too! As Saba said, “[Philadelphia] is a tough team, and we have to be tough. They are physically good, they are running, and we have to be the same as they are and even more.”
Getting Manu Back to Blazing!
Our main man up top, Emmanuel Latte Lath, had a scorching start to the season but has been looking for that spark again recently. Coach Deila mentioned that with the arrival of his new child, there’s been a lot going on off the field. But things are settling, and Deila believes we’ll see the best of Manu again soon! Even if the goals haven’t been flowing lately, his work rate is always top-notch, creating opportunities with his relentless running. Saba, who’s been through the joys of a new baby during the season himself, knows Manu will be back to his best soon!
Time for Rematch!
Tonight marks our first reverse fixture of the season! We remember that tough 3-0 loss we suffered in Philly back in April. Now, on our home turf, it’s time to even the score! Philly was clinical in that first match, scoring on almost every shot. Tonight, we need to close them down quickly in the box and challenge every opportunity. Coach Deila wants to see courage in our build-up, meeting Philly’s pressure head-on!
Philly’s attack is one of the best in the league, led by Golden Boot leader Tai Baribo and a team that loves to share the ball, leading MLS in assists! But our Five Stripes are ready to take the game to them! Training this week has been intense, focusing on that high press we know and love!
Coach Deila feels like we’re on the right path: “Now that we’re at home, we have to try to get a little bit higher and win the ball higher… Now, I feel we [can] find the ground to grow again. I have a feeling we are on the right pathway.”
Alright, Atlanta! It’s Saturday night under the lights at the Benz! Let’s pack the stadium, bring the energy, and cheer our Atlanta United to a big win against Philadelphia!
IT’S MATCH DAY! VAMOS ATLANTA!
