After braving the storm—both literally and figuratively—on their first road trip of the season, Atlanta United is back home, and the timing couldn’t be better. With five of their next six matches set to take place at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, the 5-Stripes have a golden opportunity to rack up points and set the tone for the season.
“This is our stadium, our home, and we have to show them that they’re not going to do anything on our pitch,” said midfielder Bartosz Slisz. That fighting spirit is exactly what Atlanta United needs as they look to turn strong first halves into dominant full-game performances.
Finding Consistency: The 90-Minute Challenge
The early season has been a mixed bag for Atlanta. A thrilling home win against CF Montréal was followed by a tough road loss to Charlotte FC, but there’s a clear trend—Atlanta has started both matches strong, holding a clean sheet at halftime before conceding in the second half.
“I hope in the next game we’re going to change it—no, we have to change it,” Slisz emphasized. “We cannot play two different halves.”
That shift starts with tightening up defensively, especially in transition. Both of Charlotte’s goals came off long balls, leaving Atlanta scrambling to organize their backline. It’s an issue the team is tackling head-on in training this week.
“We need more focus from the beginning of the second half,” Slisz added. “We have a good group, we just need to stay consistent throughout the full game.”
Matt Edwards: A Young Gun Making Waves
One bright spot in the young season has been the emergence of 22-year-old homegrown defender Matt Edwards. The Atlanta native has started both matches, and while there’s still room to grow, he’s proving he belongs in MLS.
His biggest test came last weekend against Charlotte FC’s high-profile signing Wilfried Zaha, a veteran of the English Premier League. Not only did Edwards hold his own, but he also visibly frustrated Zaha, even drawing a shove from the winger in a heated moment.
“It was one of those games where he was getting frustrated, so he let out the frustration,” Edwards said with a grin. “I had to make sure he knew I wasn’t just a kid.”
The challenge of defending elite attackers is nothing new for Edwards, who faces some of the league’s best every day in training. On Tuesday, he battled against the relentless work rate of Saba Lobjanidze.
“MLS is a lot faster with better players,” Edwards noted. “They recognize spaces quicker and try to attack you faster.”
A Rivalry Renewed: Atlanta vs. Red Bulls
Next up, Atlanta United hosts New York Red Bulls, a team that has historically given them trouble. The 5-Stripes hold a 3-10-5 all-time record against New York, and the Red Bulls’ high-pressing style demands sharpness and discipline.
“They’re a very direct team, so us just staying compact and winning first and second balls, being good in the air—those are the biggest things we need to focus on this week,” Edwards said.
Good news for Atlanta fans: reinforcements could be on the way. Fullbacks Pedro Amador and Brooks Lennon, both key contributors in 2024, were back in training this week. Lennon, who played nearly 3,000 minutes last season, looked sharp in 11v11 drills, while Amador, who racked up eight assists in just 14 appearances, delivered a pinpoint cross that led to a goal.
Slisz is confident in the squad’s ability to adapt and rise to the occasion. “We have to focus on first and second balls, but also keep our game, keep our structure, be together, and just play soccer.”
With a fired-up squad, a packed Benz, and a stretch of home matches ahead, Atlanta United is ready to defend their turf and make a statement. Get ready, ATL—it’s time to bring the noise!
