The last two weeks have been nothing short of hectic for Atlanta United and Saturday will mark another chapter in the club’s playoff story. After a hard-fought match at Chase Stadium on Friday, the 5-Stripes take on Inter Miami CF at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 2. Game 2 is a must-win match for Atlanta United in the Audi 2024 MLS Cup Playoffs Round One Best-of-3 Series.
The club is hard at work preparing for the match. After training at the Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Training Ground, MLS veteran Dax McCarty and Polish midfielder Bartosz Slisz spoke to local media about finding the right mindset playing at home and how to handle a talented Inter Miami CF squad.
Saturday is the time to shine bright in the 404
Saturday’s match against Inter Miami is a must-win for Atlanta United to continue their run in the MLS Cup Playoffs. It’s also the last home match of the 2024 season. As the ninth seed in the Eastern Conference, if Atlanta were to advance, they would be expected to travel for the rest of their matches.
At one point, Atlanta United making it to this home match was considered a longshot. Only two weeks ago, before Atlanta’s Decision Day match against Orlando City SC, there was a 10 percent chance for them to make the playoffs. Now they are going toe to toe with the 2024 Supporters’ Shield winners. No one expected for the 5-Stripes to be here and now it is time to show what the city of Atlanta is made of.
“Pressure is a privilege,” said Slisz. “No one believed in us before the Orlando game and now on. We are in a very good position and now we don't have anything to lose, because we're one nil in this playoff. We must come back. Nothing to lose.”
It will be a full venue match so supporters can show up and show out in their red, black & gold at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. A rowdy crowd will help the 5-Stripes as they look to force a Game 3 and take the series back to Miami.
“We will have more energy. We will have more life. We will have 70,000 people behind us,” said McCarty.
Loyal to the 404 🔴 ⚫
Win or season over. Join us at Mercedes-Benz Stadium for Game 2 of the Round One Best-of-3 series against Inter Miami CF on Saturday, Nov. 2.
Atlanta United's player availability
On top of a tight schedule that included three matches in six days, another reason why Atlanta United had to adapt quickly on Friday had to do with Brooks Lennon and Stian Gregersen both leaving the match in the first half due to injuries.
Their availability will not be clear until Atlanta releases their Availability Report presented by Piedmont on Friday before the match, but both McCarty and Slisz said the team is preparing for any lineup or outcome. McCarty praised Luis Abram and Homegrown Noah Cobb for coming in during the first half of the match against Miami.
“With injuries, you just prepare to play,” said McCarty. “Every player in our locker room should be ready to go.”
Balance is key against No. 1 seed Inter Miami
Much of the discussion around playing a team like Inter Miami is how to handle its star-studded team. With players like Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez, and Jordi Alba at the helm, the 5-Stripes must walk a delicate line between respecting their opponent and being on the front foot.
McCarty explained that at Chase Stadium, with the circumstances the team had to work through, there were times they would sit back and let Miami come to them. To pull out a much-needed win, he said that Atlanta will need to gain control of the game early on.
“At home, the right balance is going to be pressing and winning the ball higher up the field,” said McCarty. “If we can manage to deny service into them [Miami] and get them fewer touches and further away from the goal – that’s an advantage for us.”
17s cheering Atlanta on may not be the only advantage that comes with a home match. The pitch at Mercedes-Benz Stadium is considered larger than the one at Chase Stadium. When asked about that difference, Slisz said that it could help the 5-Stripes because they will have “more space” to attack.
McCarty acknowledged that breakdowns are a part of the game, especially when taking on an offensively minded club like Miami. The important part will be limiting those breakdowns and recovering from them quickly.
“The onus is more on us to bring the game to the opponent. And I think it's great that we're playing, at this moment, the best team in the league that set the record with most points ever. I think that's great for us, because they won't sit back,” said McCarty.
In August, McCarty announced that after the 2024 season he would be retiring. The 2024 season marked his 19th in MLS. Despite this, McCarty is taking things day by day, game by game. Soaking in this chapter of a long and successful career.
“Stepping in and being able to play against Miami on Friday night, it was something that I always relish the chances to play, especially playoff games,” said McCarty. “I mean, those are games that you live for, right? Not ideal circumstances, but whatever happens Saturday, whether I play every minute or don't play at all, I'll be ready to go for the team and the group.”
