Atlanta United aim for consecutive MLS victories on Saturday night when they welcome Dallas to Mercedes-Benz Stadium in gameweek seven.
Ronny Deila's men ended a four-match sequence without maximum points in the previous round's seven-goal thriller against New York City FC, but they welcome an in-form opponent seeking to secure a third consecutive triumph for the first time since 2020.
Match preview
© Imago
Although they fired blanks in gameweeks two and three, Atlanta's matches at the start of the new season have typically been goal-laden, and the previous round underlined the Five Stripes' inclination to be involved in open games.
A 4-3 win over New York City saw Deila's men trail 1-0 and 3-1 before a roaring turnaround allowed them to score three times in the final half-hour, notching only their second victory of the year.
The win elevated Atlanta to 11th in the embryonic Eastern Conference table, two points adrift of Orlando City in seventh and level with New York Red Bulls in ninth, which is the second of two qualification playoff positions.
Supporters will hope that the gameweek six turnaround proves to be the fillip for their side, having gone four matches without success since defeating Montreal 3-2 in the opening round.
While there is a long way to go until the standings take shape, last season's playoff semi-finalists aim to record consecutive MLS victories for the first time since October, when they beat New York RB and Orlando at the end of the regular season.
© Imago
That outcome requires the Atlanta outfit to snap Dallas' two-match winning streak, with Eric Quill's men following up a 1-0 success at Real Salt Lake with a 2-1 home victory over Sporting Kansas City.
Unlike their opponents, Los Toros' three wins have come from two 2-1 triumphs and a 1-0 success, perhaps highlighting a desire to keep games tight, with a 3-3 draw away at Colorado Rapids being an undoubted outlier from a small sample size.
Having not made the playoffs last season, Quill, who replaced Peter Luccin after the Frenchman's interim spell following Nico Estevez's June 2024 dismissal, aims to take the Bulls into the post-regular season tournament after 2023's involvement.
Consecutive wins mean Dallas have risen to seventh in the Western Conference with 10 points, three adrift of Vancouver Whitecaps on 13 points.
Another triumph will see Los Toros end a five-year wait for three consecutive MLS wins since a September 2020 run that witnessed success against Houston Dynamo (2-1), Colorado Rapids (4-1) and Sporting KC (3-2).
With Dallas unbeaten on their travels this term, notching two wins at the Dynamo and RSL and having played out a draw against the Rapids, the away fans will hope to match their 2020 feat in Atlanta.
Team News
© Imago
Missing for Atlanta are Edwin Mosquera (ankle), Tristan Muyumba (knee) and Jamal Thiare (hip), though all three should return in the coming weeks.
Only Philadelphia Union's Tai Baribo (six goals) has netted more than Atlanta's Emmanuel Latte Lath (five), and the home side's forward aims to add to his growing tally this weekend.
Lath has netted 50% of the Five Stripes' 10 league goals, further highlighting his influence at the start of the new campaign.
Paxton Pomykal and Geovane Jesus are absent for Dallas due to knee injuries, with the former expected back in July while Jesus is out for the season.
Although only one of his three goals have been match-winners, Luciano Acosta, who has scored 33.3% of his team's nine goals, strives to be decisive for the visitors.
Atlanta United possible starting lineup:
Guzan; Lennon, Gregarsen, Williams, Qui; Slisz, Kilch; Almiron, Miranchuk, Lobjanidze; Lath
Dallas possible starting lineup:
Paes; Moore, Ibeagha, Urhoghide, Norris; Lletget, Ramiro, Delgado; Chu, Acosta; Musa
We say: Atlanta United 2-2 Dallas
While Dallas are unbeaten on their travels, Atlanta's home results have been mixed, as highlighted by two wins, a draw and a loss in four.
Nonetheless, that defeat was an 89th-minute concession against Inter Miami, a team with superior individual quality to Dallas.
Given that the Bulls have scored in every away match and Atlanta's inclination for end-to-end affairs, Saturday's encounter could end in a tie with both sides finding the net.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
