Leg 1 - Monterrey vs. Atlanta United Estadio BBVA Bancomer — Guadalupe, Mexico March 6 — 10 pm ET Univision Deportes MLSsoccer.com preview here. AJC.com preview here. After Sunday night’s rather tepid (though I’ve seen worse) display I know the interweb is anxiously fretting about the new Five Stripes or celebrating the supposed knocking down of this usurper superclub. However you slice it it certainly was not the machine we saw down the home stretch last season so it’s understandable when Atlanta fans enter this series with trepidation. We all want to win the CCL, but we hate the prospect of looking like chumps domestically if the team doesn’t win the thing and still flounders in MLS play. Nevertheless, tonight’s game is on the docket and the team is there to play. Once more unto the breach. In Monterrey Atlanta will be facing certainly their most historic opponent yet, and possibly their most comprehensively strongest opponent, as well. Thrice winners of the Champions League and holders of several domestic trophies, Monterrey is among the biggest clubs on the continent and they’ve a nice, shiny new stadium as testament to their growing prowess. They’re also currently 2nd in the Liga MX table and a pick by many to win it all, both domestically and the CCL. Undefeated in their last 12 matches and coming off a 2-0 at Chivas, this is a team in fine form. (ie: Not like Atlanta at the moment.) Funes Mori and Dorlan Pabon drive an attack that while not explosive is considered quite clinical. Their overall rate of possession is strong for Liga MX and, most importantly, they don’t let teams patiently build in the Monterrey defensive third. IN Sanchez and Ortiz Monterrey has a pair of experienced (ie: Over 30) defenders who’ve honed a unit that does well to limit quality shots and then quickly move the ball forward. Of their 11 matches in 2019 6 have been shutouts, with the other five matches seeing at best 2 goals surrendered. And again, Monterrey didn’t lose any of them. So what does that mean for Atlanta, apart from the obvious need to play their best? Assuming the aim is to seriously try to win the tie it would seem the best bet is to channel last year’s playoff form and play bunker ball. Atlanta’s best chance to score and win a match against this level of opponent will come in Atlanta, so if they minimize the score line in Mexico they’ve given themselves a decent shot. Maybe some quality shot opportunities will come via a counter attack but remember Miggy’s pace is not part of that equation anymore. So while the play may not need to look like parking the bus the first emphasis has to be on defense. At least until you determine the potential for the side to control the ball for spells during the match and show creativity. Atlanta had decent possession in DC but produced nothing with it. I think the Stripes were wise in flying directly from DC to Monterrey. Having the full 3 days to acclimate and shift focus is no doubt a good thing, and the team has already shown this season an ability to rebound from a poor showing. Assuming the players are dialed in and the coaching staff has a good grasp on the lineup tonight Atlanta is certainly talented enough to get a result, but they’ll need a complete performance unlike what we’ve seen so far this season. Of note, however, is that Gressel is listed as doubtful due to an ankle knock and the AJC is reporting that Bello didn’t make the trip, so the wingback pairing will again be Shea and Ambrose. The latter should improve on his play from Sunday with (presumably) Pity Martinez ahead of him tonight, but both Ambrose and Shea will need to cover a ton of ground tonight and be much, much more productive in attack. I’m not being alarmist based on the results we’ve seen through 3 games. The trip to Herediano was a unique, first-time experience to start the season and the game at DCU is mostly testament to the fact that DCU is a solid team, especially at home. So long as Atlanta continue to show the ability to fix their errors over time I have faith the results will come throughout the season. As for tonight, however, the mountain may prove too tall. Hopefully they land enough punches to make the second leg a fight. CFM 3 – 1 ATL
I'm hoping for 2-1. If Atlanta can get out of there only down one goal and an away goal in hand they'll be in good shape for the return leg.
What I’d go with.... ———-Martinez———— Pity———————Barco ————Nagbe————- ——Remedi—-Jeff——— Pogba—————Gressel ——LGP——Parkhurst—— ————Guzan————— Bench: Kann, Robinson, Bello, Kratz, Villalba, Carleton, Vasquez
Why aren't these games on real TV? I couldn't get Chromecast to project the last match on my TV and had to watch on the computer. I am not complaining because I am old enough to remember when you couldn't find any big match, even WC, on TV. HUP, ATLANTA, HUP!
We haven't seen Pogba at all so far. I hope he is ready. I am more hopeful that Gressel is ready and not hurt.
Watching Real Salt Lake... they just went down to a Panamanian squad called Chorrera, and to be honest it should be 2-0. Yesterday, NY and Houston lost. None of this bodes well for our guys against one of Liga MX's best.
Brek and Ambrose are the wing backs again. RSL were just gifted a PK and have the very valuable away goal.
I guess I am the only one watching this RSL game, but this Brownie guy is single handily beating RSL. He needs to be in our league.
Single handedly, not single handily... I am not good with words. Either way Brownie is a baller. Salt Lake goes down 2-1. The MLS is now 0-3 in this round of the CCL. All hope tonight rests on the five stripes... or are we the nine stripes now?
n Stripes. SKC will take care of business at home. Atlanta needs to make sure they give themselves the same chance.
Yes SKC, I hate these "Europeanese" monikers. I liked it better when they were the Wiz and Dallas was the Burn. Then when Dallas played KC in a piss poor match I could lament about the 'Wiz and Burn'. Kick off for the Atlanta Chiefs awaits.
Perhaps FdB is worried about his speed.... Monterrey again look dangerous with Guzan out of goal and missing a tackle 1/3 the way up the pitch.
Unnecessary. Someone should have been in their ears all day reminding them that they'll lose those soft calls. Every time.
Mexican's making a meal out of a nothing foul be Remedi. Eric gets a yellow and the Mexican requires a stretcher.
That wasn't even soft. He just chicken winged the guy in the back for no reason at all. The ball was going out.