Atlanta United can end a seven-match winless run at Mercedes-Benz Stadium when they host Toronto in Major League Soccer action on Saturday.
A 1-1 draw versus St Louis City last weekend kept the Five Stripes in the final Eastern Conference playoff position with 21 points, three fewer than the Reds, who lost their previous encounter 3-0 to the New York Red Bulls.
Match preview
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It would be an understatement to say that the 2024 MLS campaign has been a massive disappointment for Atlanta United.
Even though they are in a playoff position, this team have claimed eight fewer points this year than in their opening 19 domestic contests of 2023 (29).
Their margin for error in the playoff race is razor-thin, as they are only above Orlando City on goal difference, with the Philadelphia Union just a point behind them.
Among the biggest disappointments has been their home form, suffering five defeats in this competition at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, two more than they had by the end of the previous campaign.
Since interim manager Rob Valentino took charge, however, they have taken a few baby steps forward, and he is unbeaten in his three matches at the helm.
The Five Stripes have never lost a regular season encounter against Toronto at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, coming away with a 1-1 draw in this exact fixture last year.
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After surprising many throughout the first half of the regular season, Toronto are currently in a slump, losing three consecutive matches in this competition.
Another defeat this weekend would be the longest for this side since John Herdman took charge, while they are currently on a six-match winless run in MLS.
A defensive unit that only conceded in one of their opening five regular-season contests this year have regressed recently, allowing a combined nine goals in their last three league fixtures.
Their attacking quality has disappeared away from home in recent outings, failing to find the scoresheet in three of their last four MLS encounters as the visitors.
Although things have not been going well for them on the road lately, TFC have claimed nine points away from home in 2024, which is five more than a year ago.
Toronto have points in three consecutive regular-season contests against Atlanta but have only beaten them once at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, in the 2019 MLS Cup playoffs (2-1).
Team News
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Against St Louis, Atlanta were without Edwin Mosquera because of a knee issue, Stian Gregersen sat out with a hamstring strain, while Tyler Wolff missed another match due to an MCL sprain.
Thiago Almada is eligible to return from his yellow card suspension, Bartosz Slisz may not be back in time after Poland exited the Euro, while Luis Abram remains on international duty for Peru at the Copa America.
Their leading goalscorer in the 2023 MLS campaign, Giorgos Giakoumakis, was transferred to Cruz Azul in Liga MX, opening up a Designated Player spot for the Five Stripes.
Daniel Rios scored his third of the 2024 MLS campaign, enabling them to claim a single point in their previous encounter.
Last Saturday, the Reds were without Tyrese Spicer due to a lower back issue, Shane O'Neill was unavailable because of a quad strain and Brandon Servania sat out after rupturing his ACL.
Richie Laryea and Jonathan Osorio are on international duty for Canada at the Copa America, while Sean Johnson is with the host nation, the USA.
In their previous meeting with Atlanta this year, the Reds came away with a 2-0 home triumph, as Spicer and Prince Owusu found the back of the net and Luka Gavran collected a clean sheet.
Atlanta United possible starting lineup:
Guzan; Morales, Williams, Cobb; Lennon, Fortune, Almada, Wiley; Thiare, Rios, Silva
Toronto possible starting lineup:
Gavran; Rosted, Long, Gomis; Bernardeschi, Coello, Longstaff, Marshall-Rutty; Etienne, Insigne; Owusu
We say: Atlanta United 2-0 Toronto
With many of their experienced players on international duty, Toronto have been particularly vulnerable on the back end, and we believe the Five Stripes will take advantage of that this weekend and remain unbeaten under Valentino.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Joel Lefevre
