Atlanta United heads back on the road this weekend when it travels to face the Colorado Rapids. The 5-Stripes picked up a point last weekend against CF Montréal in the team’s return to MLS Regular Season action. A late Alexey Miranchuk goal earned Atlanta its fifth draw on the road this season. It will look to bring home all three points this weekend. Colorado is in the thick of the Western Conference playoff race in eighth place in the standings, just a couple points above the playoff line . Let’s take a look at the Tools to the Match presented by Home Depot against Colorado Rapids.
Convert more scoring opportunities
The 5-Stripes had a lot of scoring chances in last weekend’s match at Montréal. Unfortunately, they were not able to convert enough of those chances to pick up the victory. Miranchuk’s goal in the final five minutes came off a corner kick. Later in stoppage time, the midfielder struck the crossbar. In the first half, Atlanta created several scoring chances but weren’t able to convert . A little better finishing, maybe even a favorable bounce here and there off the post or crossbar could help unlock Atlanta’s attack. If they can put Colorado under pressure and score early, they will be in prime position to pick up three road points. The Rapids have yet to win a match in which they allowed the first goal or trailed at halftime.
Contain Colorado’s speed on the break
With the sudden departure of playmaker Djordje Mihailovic, the Colorado Rapids have a new look to their attack these days. They collected three big road points last weekend in a 2-1 win at Minnesota United. Without Mihailovic, Colorado will rely on more transition opportunities and look to hurt Atlanta on the break. Darren Yapi scored a brace on two transition moments last weekend. Calvin Harris is another speedy winger that can punish you on the break. When those guys get in good attacking positions, Rafa Navarro can finish the chances they create in the box. The Brazilian is a proven goalscorer in MLS with nine goals this year after tallying 15 goals last year. Atlanta’s defense will have to be on top of its game in order to keep the Rapids off the scoresheet.
Turn crosses into goals
Atlanta is once again one of the top crossing teams in MLS. It ranks near the top in open play crosses. It also ranks sixth in MLS in terms of getting shots from open play crosses with 46 coming into this weekend. Whether the crosses come from the wingers or the fullbacks, Atlanta has to find a way to convert more of those crosses into goals in the final nine matches of the season. It all starts this Saturday at Colorado.
Fans can tune in on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV on Saturday night at 9:30 p.m. ET when the action kicks off at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City, Colorado. To hear the action on radio, tune into Sports Radio 92.9 The Game (English) or La Mejor – AM 1600 (Spanish).
