Match preview: Atlanta United welcomes Charlotte FC looking to continue one streak, break another

It's hard to give a matchup like Atlanta United vs Charlotte FC any more juice than it already has — but this year's late August edition of the rivalry might just have it. 

For starters, these two teams will meet for the third time this season, having already played in the Charlotte area twice in MLS and U.S. Open Cup play. 

Secondly, Atlanta United brings a streak of three consecutive wins to the table and are just three points off the Eastern Conference playoff line. 

But the most intriguing wrinkle may be the fact that Atlanta United has not defeated their I-85 rivals at home since 2022. The 5-Stripes, and the 17s in attendance, will do their best to make sure that streak doesn't continue. It'll all go down at 7:30 p.m. ET Saturday, Aug. 29 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. 

Paulo Díaz and the possession game

Atlanta United has had a busy Summer Transfer Window, bringing in four new players and sending out six others either on permanent or loan deals. Júnior Alonso made his debut the earliest, and now Paulo Díaz has joined him. 

The Chilean center back was able to feature for the 5-Stripes last week for the first few times, coming off the bench against Minnesota United and starting against Sporting Kansas City. Díaz is ramping up to full-match fitness at the right time, as the club announced the departure of Stian Gregersen Thursday. 

In 73 minutes of action against Kansas City, Díaz's veteran poise was evident. He had 8 interceptions and completed nearly 94% of his passes. 

"He brings quality experience, and he's someone who's able to see the first pass really well and anticipate, which is something that's sometimes hard to find in center backs" head coach Tata Martino said in Spanish Thursday.

Díaz's entrance into the starting XI comes as the 5-Stripes have seen their possession numbers begin to fall in the last couple matches. Despite that, they've engineered a three-match win streak.

They could easily blame it on game state — the 5-Stripes have held a lead for the majority of their last 270 minutes. But Díaz aligned with El Profe that the goal is still to take on more of the protagonist role, as Martino has preached all season. 

"I think this league has a lot of quick transitions, so there's not as much possession from teams in the midfield," Díaz said. "That's something that we as a team are working on. We want to be able to have more of the ball." 

Key contributors on either side of the rivalry

After having seen and scouted this weekend's opponents, Martino had nothing but praise in Thursday's media availability. 

"The quality of players they have," Martino said. "For us, in the previous matches with them, when we're attacking with a lot of numbers and lose the ball, they can really hurt you in those transition moments.

Almirón had the leveler in the recent reverse fixture July 22, and Miranchuk scored a longshot against The Crown in the U.S. Open Cup match April 28. The two have combined for 21 goal contributions in MLS play this season and will be key to equaling Charlotte's attacking presence. 

From front to back, the 5-Stripes will be tested, but their confidence is growing by the day. They've had Charlotte's number this season — can they call it one more time Saturday night for another crucial three points?

"We should be playing all these games like it's a final," Díaz said. "We have to play with our lives, and we have to treat every game that way so we can get as many points as possible."

One of those players is Pep Biel, a tricky midfielder who can impact a match with direct goalscoring or creation for others. 

Biel, like Almirón, was named to MLS' Team of the Matchday 22 for his three-goal-contribution effort against D.C. United. He's up to 11 goals and 8 assists in MLS play and will be a handful for the 5-Stripes. Martino is imparting caution onto his players ahead of their matchup. 

"It depends where he plays also," Martino said. "He's played as a third midfielder, he's also played in a more free role behind the forward ... We're going to have to be very careful based on where he plays during the match."  

Meeting Biel where he lines up is one area to watch for Atlanta United, but he's not the only dangerous attacker that is likely to feature Saturday night.

Though Atlanta United's new Designated Player forward Breel Embolo won't be available for selection, the 5-Stripes bring firepower in the form of Miguel Almirón and Alexey Miranchuk, who have both scored against Charlotte this season.

Almirón had the leveler in the recent reverse fixture July 22, and Miranchuk scored a longshot against The Crown in the U.S. Open Cup match April 28. The two have combined for 21 goal contributions in MLS play this season and will be key to equaling Charlotte's attacking presence. 

From front to back, the 5-Stripes will be tested, but their confidence is growing by the day. They've had Charlotte's number this season — can they call it one more time Saturday night for another crucial three points?

"We should be playing all these games like it's a final," Díaz said. "We have to play with our lives, and we have to treat every game that way so we can get as many points as possible."