On Saturday afternoon, Atlanta United welcomes San Diego FC to Mercedes-Benz Stadium in the penultimate home match of the season. It will be the first meeting between the sides as the Western Conference leaders are in the middle of a historic expansion season. The 5-Stripes are looking to close out the regular season on a high note to take some momentum into the upcoming offseason. Last weekend, Atlanta nearly produced the largest comeback in club and league history but fell just one goal short of Columbus. San Diego lost at home and will look to get back on the winning track as it tries to stay atop the Western Conference. Let’s take a look at the Tools to the Match presented by Home Depot against San Diego FC.
Clean up defensive mistakes
One of the things head coach Ronny Deila will try to solve over the last few matches this season is the defensive struggles the team has faced nearly all season. The 5-Stripes allowed five goals at home for the first time ever last weekend. The team’s defense was coming off two consecutive clean sheets but was unable to extend that streak against Columbus. The backline is continuing to integrate summer signings Enea Mihaj and Juan Berrocal into its group. This Saturday, defensive midfielder Bartosz Slisz also returns from suspension, which should strengthen the defense in the middle of the pitch. Atlanta has to clean up those defensive miscues in order to get a positive result against San Diego.
All eyes on Dreyer and Lozano
In its inaugural season, San Diego has ascended straight to the top of the Western Conference. The team has collected 17 wins from 30 matches and sits two points ahead of Minnesota for the top spot in the West. Two of the key offseason signings that have led the charge are Anders Dreyer and Hirving “Chucky” Lozano. The Mexican international came to San Diego with the pedigree and name recognition. He’s scored nine goals and added nine assists. Dreyer has inserted himself into the MVP conversation with 14 goals and 18 assists. The Danish winger has excelled from the jump in San Diego and will be a player that Atlanta’s defense will have to be aware of at all times. If the 5-Stripes can contain both Lozano and Dreyer, they will have a chance at keeping all three points at home.
Show urgency from the opening whistle
Last Saturday, the response from the team was one of the few positive things to take away. The players didn’t give up when going down 5-1 at halftime. Instead, the team responded immediately in the first 15 minutes of the second half with two goals and created enough chances to get all the way back into the match. This weekend, Atlanta has to take that mindset and urgency and transfer it to the opening whistle. They can’t allow San Diego to feel comfortable and play their game for long stretches of the match. The intensity and urgency needs to be there from the jump in order to defeat a team that’s atop the Western Conference standings.
Fans can tune in on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV on Saturday afternoon at 4:30 p.m. ET when the action kicks off at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia. To hear the action on radio, tune into Sports Radio 92.9 The Game (English) or La Mejor – AM 1600 (Spanish).
