When asked about Atlanta United’s two-week break from league action, Yamil Asad was quick to respond.
“We miss playing,” Yamil said. “We miss the game days. We’re looking forward to getting back on the field.”
It was a message echoed by several of Asad’s teammates in the lead-up to Atlanta’s return to MLS action. None more so than left back Greg Garza, who had to miss Atlanta’s last game with a separated shoulder suffered at the All-Star game.
“My shoulder is doing alright,” Garza assured the fans. “I’ll play the rest of the season, lay off surgery as much as possible, and hopefully I’ll be alright for the rest of the season.”
Next up comes a road trip to D.C. United. Despite sitting at the bottom of the Eastern Conference, they’ve taken all six points against Atlanta United this year – something that’s been noticed by head coach Tata Martino.
“In both games against D.C. United, we really didn’t play well as a team, both at home and away in D.C.,” Martino said through a translator. “They’re a team that, even though they’re at the bottom of the standings right now, they caused us a lot of problems in both of those two games.”
D.C. made a big splash in the summer transfer market, with the addition of U.S. international Paul Arriola headlining several new additions in the nation’s capital. But Anton Walkes is keeping his mind on things he can control.
“The main focus is us,” Walkes said. “We know what strengths and weaknesses the teams we face have, but our main focus is making sure our style overshadows theirs.”
The team insisted they’re focusing on each game as it comes, and aren’t looking ahead to a hectic September schedule yet. But riding a six-match unbeaten streak, the players know that capitalizing on two of their final road games of the season will set them up well for a busy stretch at home coming up at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
“It’s going to be an exciting month or so ahead,” Walkes said. “We have two away trips that come in quick succession but hopefully if we pick up six points on the road, hopefully that could give us great momentum coming into the four home games at the new stadium.”
Make sure to tune into the game at 7:30 p.m. EST on Wednesday on Fox Sports South. After another road game this weekend, Atlanta United will return to Atlanta for the debut in Mercedes-Benz Stadium against FC Dallas on September 10th. Tickets are sold out for that match, so make sure you’ve reserved your spot as the red, black and gold take on the New England Revolution on September 13th by clicking here.
