Match preview: Atlanta United looking to play risky, free as they hit road for Chicago

The last time Atlanta United played a road match this season, the clocks hadn't sprung forward. March Madness hadn't started yet, nor had The Masters. The 2026 MLS regular season was just two matchdays old, and the 5-Stripes were still very green. 

Over a month later, they'll hit the road for the first time since Feb. 28 up to the Midwest. Chicago Fire are a test for an Atlanta United side that's still looking to unlock attacking consistency and a road warrior mindset. The 8:30 p.m. ET kickoff Saturday night, April 11 will be another chance to get things headed in the right direction. 

"I believe that in one point, if we can win an away game, it can be the point that we can turn everything around," Alexey Miranchuk said after training Thursday. "The season may go in different way. I believe that at some point we can turn the season."

Urgency across the squad

Four home bouts in a row, plus a weekend off for international break, means Atlanta United will have to get back in the traveling mindset. Looking for their first victory away from Atlanta this season, the 5-Stripes encounter the fifth-place side in the Eastern Conference in Chicago Fire. 

Head coach Tata Martino said he and his staff are still deciding on potential changes to the starting XI as the week unfolds. But one thing is clear, change needs to come sooner rather than later. 

"Time is scarce," Martino said in Spanish. "I think it's clear that we need to continue evolving and progressing."

After a loss at home to Columbus Crew, the 5-Stripes are reckoning with the performance on both sides of the ball, first defensively. Elías Báez spoke Tuesday and broke down some of the tactical wrinkles that led to his side conceding. The fullback, like others throughout the club, expressed urgency.  

"Tata wants us all organized and close as a back four," Báez said in Spanish. "We know we have to correct some of the mistakes ... We want to do it as soon as possible."

Atlanta United's press, which has been a distinct feature of Martino's past Atlanta United sides, has been under examination in the early going this season. Martino himself said he's noticed a shift in the tactical trend across world football. 

"It takes a lot of work and continuity to high press that way," Martino said. "Today there are very few teams that are able to sustain a high press."

How much pressing the attack does will depend on the opponent, Martino said. On the road against a capable Chicago side, there's a chance we won't see as much pressure as the 5-Stripes look to fortify the defense.

The club's road fixture against Chicago Fire last season saw forward Hugo Cuypers on the scorer's sheet, and he'll have to be a focus for the defenders in 2026 as well. This season, the Belgian already has 5 goal contributions through his 4 appearances. Between him, Jonathan Bamba and Philip Zinckernagel, the Fire have some serious assets going forward. 

"Everyone has to look in the mirror and say, I can do this better," Steven Alzate said in Spanish Tuesday. "... We have to change this quickly."

"Free our minds"

For the 5-Stripes, that defensive foundation is the building block for the rest of the performance. From there, as Miranchuk put it it's all about loosening up a bit. 

"It's just small things, maybe risking some megs or skills," Miranchuk said. "[That can] turn the game in different ways ... We should try to free our minds and play risky."​

After dropping 3 goals on Philadelphia Union March 14, it looked as if Atlanta United had unlocked its attack. All three designated players were clicking and contributing. But the D.C. United match proved another road bump, and after the loss to Columbus, the 5-Stripes have scored just 1 goal in 180 minutes of play since the match against Philly. 

Miranchuk and Alzate both had a similar takeaway as to what their side needs to do more of. 

"It's good that everybody wants the ball, but somebody has to go ahead and make runs," Miranchuk said.

"We've got a lot of players that want it to [their] feet, rather than in behind," Alzate said. "That's probably one of the main reasons. We need to switch it up more." 

The temptation to maintain possession without taking risks can oftentimes leave Atlanta United without substantial attacking creation by the end of a match. 

The 5-Stripes have been most successful this season when they've been daring — counterattacking, direct football, exploiting space with quick runners. It's how things unfolded against Philadelphia, and the 5-Stripes are chasing that playstyle again. 

"We want it to come with consistency in finding the depth and advancing the attack," Martino said. "If we're [holding possession] and we're having good circulation of the ball, then then that's good, but we wanted to it come with more with more depth in the attack."