This weekend, Atlanta United return to Bobby Dodd Stadium for another Saturday night matchup in the ATL. The expansion side will host Western Conference opponents ColoradoRapids for the first-ever meeting between the two clubs. Atlanta (6-7-3) are looking to make it four straight wins at home, meanwhile Colorado (5-9-1) are trying to earn points on the road for the first time this season.
Saturday’s match will mark Atlanta’s seventh-straight sellout crowd of its inaugural season. Didn’t get a ticket? No worries, catch all the action starting at 7:00 p.m. EST on FOX SportsSoutheast or via FOX Sports GO.
Atlanta United (6-7-3)
Atlanta United has been off to a blistering start in the first-ever season as a club, particularly on the attacking end. The expansion side lead MLS in goals and goals per game with 32 through 16 matches, averaging two per match. In their last three home matches, Atlanta have outscored their opponents by a combined 10 goals to 3, emerging victorious in all three competitions and earning a maximum nine points.
At the helm of their lethal front line are midfielders Miguel Almirón and Julian Gressel as well as forwards Josef Martinez and Tito Villalba, who have tallied 23 of the team’s 32 goals so far this year. But a crucial catalyst in Atlanta’s impressive scoring run has been 22-year-old Yamil Asad who, with his most recent assist on Wednesday, now sits alone at the top of the league assist chart with a total of nine so far this season.
Despite the midweek defeat in D.C. on Wednesday night, Atlanta United are in great home form and fans will be happy to see them battle it out in search of a fourth-straight victory inside the friendly confines of Bobby Dodd Stadium.
Colorado Rapids (5-9-1)
Home has truly become a fortress for Colorado as of late, boasting an undefeated regular season at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park in 2016 and a strong 5-3-1 record so far this year. However, the same can’t be said for their away form. Winless this season on the road, the Rapids have struggled to perform and have yet to earn a point beyond the borders of Colorado.
However, Atlanta will have their hands full as the Rapids are never an easy side to beat. Known for stout defending and collective resilience, you can always count on a tough Colorado XI battling until the final whistle. Led by their fearless goalkeeper in U.S. international Tim Howard, Colorado conceded the fewest goals in the league last year.
On the other end, a speedy Dominique Badji and net-seeking Kevin Doyle spearhead the Rapids attack. Atlanta will also need to be mindful of super sub Alan Gordon, who has subbed on in their last two victories and nodded in the match-winners with his aerial dominance.
Colorado may not be in the best road form but they have everything to prove in their first-ever matchup with the expansion side. A minor upturn in their performances away from home could help shoot them up the Western Conference table.
Listen & Watch – Wednesday, June 24 | 7:00 p.m. EST
TV
- FOX Sports Southeast
- FOX Sports GO
Radio
- 92.9 The Game (English)
- La Mejor Atlanta (Spanish)
Play-by-Play
Social (@ATLUTD)
