Get ready for a crazy few weeks, 17s. The soccer world will be booming in July, specifically in Atlanta and for the 5-Stripes. Let’s look ahead to all the dates to mark on your calendar:
Sunday, July 2 – USA vs Trinidad & Tobago 🇺🇸🇹🇹
Three Atlanta United players are currently competing in the Concacaf Gold Cup, and two of them will be facing off in the group stage. Miles Robinson, fresh off a Nations League title, will represent the reigning champs United States against Jay Fortune and Trinidad & Tobago at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina at 7 p.m.
Robinson was on the USMNT roster when they last won in 2021, which was their seventh title since the tournament began in 1991. Last week, Fortune scored off the bench in the Soca Warriors’ 3-0 defeat over St. Kitts and Nevis, their first Gold Cup group stage win since 2015.
July 2-15 – Atlanta United League Matches ⚽
In the first two weeks of the month, the 5-Stripes will face Philadelphia Union, CF Montréal, New England Revolution and Orlando City for the MLS regular season before the break for Leagues Cup. All four teams are in the top eight spots with Atlanta in the Eastern Conference standings.
Atlanta drew 3-3 with New England and 1-1 with Orlando earlier this season. The matches against Philadelphia and Montréal are the first meetups between the teams this year. Atlanta will host Philadelphia on July 2 and Orlando on July 15 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Wednesday, July 5 – Summer Transfer Window Opens ↔️
The MLS secondary transfer window opens on July 5 and ends August 2. During that time, Atlanta may request the International Transfer Certificate (ITC) of a player under contract in another country.
Following the departure of Luiz Araújo to Brazilian club Flamengo, Atlanta United has the option to acquire another Designated Player for its roster.
Sunday-Wednesday, July 16-19 – FIFAe World Cup 🎮
Atlanta United will be represented by gamer Paulo Neto in the FIFAe World Cup for the third consecutive year. Neto will be the only player from the eMLS circuit to participate in the tournament, which will be hosted in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
In May, Neto qualified with the Brazilian eNational Team to the FIFAe Nations World Cup. Neto also won the eMLS Cup in 2022 at just 19 years old.
Wednesday, July 19 – 2023 MLS All-Star Game 🌟
Atlanta’s Thiago Almada and Giorgos Giakoumakis will both be making their All-Star debut when the team takes on Arsenal FC at Audi Field in Washington, D.C. They were announced this week to the roster, which was selected through a combination of fan, player and media votes and designations from All-Star head coach Wayne Rooney and MLS Commissioner Don Garber.
Almada leads MLS with nine assists, is tied for second in goal contributions (16) and is tied for second with 50 chances created. Giakoumakis leads Atlanta with 10 goals and was the quickest in club history to reach the milestone.
- Watch the match at 8 p.m. on MLS Season Pass
Thursday, July 20 – FIFA Women’s World Cup 🌎
The FIFA Women’s World Cup kicks off in Australia and New Zealand on July 20 and the final will be played on August 20. The United States women’s national team have won the last two titles and will be looking for their fifth championship this year.
The USWNT is in Group E with Vietnam, Netherlands and Portugal. All three matches will air on FOX and Telemundo and will stream on Peacock.
Tuesday, July 25 & Saturday, July 29 – Leagues Cup 🏆
All MLS and Liga MX clubs will compete in the inaugural Leagues Cup from July 21-August 19. Atlanta United will start group stage play against Inter Miami CF at DRV PNK Stadium on July 25 before hosting Cruz Azul at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on July 29.
The top two teams from each group will advance to the knockout rounds, which are single elimination starting at the Round of 32. The Leagues Cup winner skips directly to the Concacaf Champions League Round of 16.
Wednesday, July 26 – English Premier League double-header at Mercedes-Benz Stadium 🏟
The English Premier League will play two pre-season matches in Atlanta for the first time ever. Brentford FC will face Brighton & Hove Albion FC at 5:30 p.m. followed by Chelsea FC vs. Newcastle United at 8:15 p.m.
Former Atlanta United club president Darren Eales and star Miguel Almirón will return to the city since moving to Newcastle. Atlanta’s Thiago Almada also reunites with fellow Argentina World Cup winner Enzo Fernández of Chelsea.
