Atlanta United vs. Real Salt Lake Mercedes-Benz Stadium — Atlanta Sept. 22 — 7 pm ET Fox SportSoutheast MLSsoccer.com preview here. AJC.com preview here. "Hello! Do you know us?! We're a Major League Soccer Team! But, Since we haven't played a home match in nearly 5 weeks, nobody recognizes us. Not even our hometown fans. That's why we carry the American Express Card. No matter how far ahead of Orlando we are, it's cool. It helps us get into our favorite hotels and restaurants and stuff. So if you're looking for some big league clout, apply for the little green onion bag hitter. Look what its done for us. People still don't recognize us, but hey- We're Supporters' Shield contenders now. The American Express Card. Don't steal road wins without it!" With barely enough time to unpack and put their delicates in the sink with some Woolite, the 5 Stripes have to step back onto the pitch for the third time in 8 days. The good news? Having snuck away from San Jose with 3 points after winning at Colorado, Atlanta has a 4 point cushion between them and 2nd place Team X Games. The bad news? After 4,000 miles of travel and playing at elevational extremes it's doubtful the players did anything physical Thursday and only minimal activity Friday, so Saturday night's match is a muscle-memory special. Everyone keep your toes crossed that they don't collapse from fatigue. What's more RSL is not a slouch. They're in the middle of the western conference playoff war and have taken 11 points from their past 5 matches, marking a decided step up in quality compared to Atlanta's tour of the west's worst. Like SKC this is a team that's steady in development and quality, one that plays better than the sum of its parts. Also like SKC they're strategy is typically defensive oriented, a necessity built out of a limited attack. Salt Lake usually plays a lone striker but with 3 forward driving midfielders in orbital support that at times looks similar to Atlanta (only slower!). Meanwhile the at times 6 deep defense, lead by USMNT player Nick Besler, will look to limit opponents wide play and force them into a choked center of the field where Pablo Ruiz can start a transition game. It's possession oriented if not perfectly executed, but they are still in the hunt for a top 4 spot in the west so something is working. Atlanta's gameplan is no secret by now, the only question is how fit and focused they'll be and what tweaks #SaveTheTata will throw into the lineup. I spoke last time of my appreciation for Nagbe in the lineup and hope he can play. Escobar wasn't sharp Wednesday and Atlanta needs better service from the defenders to push the attack. If we're lucky they swing an early goal and force RSL to chase the match, allowing the Stripes to play four corners later in the 2nd half. The haters are already chomping at the bit to see every big name leave Atlanta after this season. Can #SaveTheTata and company see this through and keep that 4 point edge heading to New Jersey next week? If so the post-season planning can truly begin, and hopefully any persons thinking of richer shores will likewise realize they still have a golden opportunity here. Martinez liked scoring again Wednesday night and will no doubt want to hear his name being chanted once more. Provided they don't fall behind again they'll be charged to play in front of 70k. Again. It'll be frustrating but momentum is building. No cheap burritos Sunday but we all relish a 2-1 win while talking about MLS season records to come.
Huge night tonight... if we win and RB loses, then we all are but assured the supporters shield. If we both win, the race tightens but we’re closer to the finish line. But, if we lose and RB wins then we will be really neck and neck.
Overall about as good as I could've hoped. Parkhurst and McCann got some rest as George Bello gets the nod to start at left back, shining in the process. He won't muscle anyone off the ball but he looks like the future for that position. Further, the defense as a whole played well, with LGP having one of his better matches in an Atlanta shirt and Escobar looking much more poised compared to midweek. How much was this down to the opponent or the Larentowicz/Nagbe pairing in front I can't say but the shutout speaks for itself. Guzan, also, had a stand-out night with several saves, including 2 great ones. Martinez looked gassed. Made his usual runs but did more walking than usual. I don't blame him and am not calling him out, merely noting last night he wasn't quite the threat as normal. Tito and Miggy made up for that, tho. Gressel a deserved MOTM. His goal was brilliant, his work rate on the wing was solid and everyone loved seeing him hype up the crowd late in the match. Everyone knew what was on the line after Red Bull: New York pulled out their win. Today I hope the boys enjoy a well deserved day off.
I enjoyed the fact that the lead never really looked in jeopardy unlike many of our other matches. Sure RSL had a few chances, but our defense looked more than decent.