"Must-win game" is a term that is now embedded in sports. Throughout the history of the game, from league to league, it is said that pressure is a privilege. Well, for MLS veteran Dax McCarty, there is also a sense of gratitude when the lights are brightest.
In August, McCarty announced that he would be retiring at the end of the 2024 season. This season will be putting the bookend on one of the most legendary and sustained careers in MLS history – 19 seasons under his belt. In Atlanta United’s match earlier this season on April 27 against Chicago Fire, one of McCarty's former clubs, McCarty made his 500th appearance in MLS.
His professional career started with FC Dallas in 2006. Since then he has been a key part of several organizations like New York Red Bulls, D.C. United, Chicago Fire and Nashville SC.
When he became a free agent before the 2024 season, Atlanta United was immediately on his radar as a club he could play for.
“From the outside, you always look at Atlanta United as a big club and a club with high expectations. Big pressure to succeed and to win,” said McCarty back in January. “Then you get here, and you realize that is the expectation inside the locker room as well. For me, that is excellent. That is exactly what I was looking for in my free agency journey.”
Since January, it has been a rollercoaster season for the 5-Stripes. From monumental wins to learning lessons, as well as roster turnover.
On October 19, Decision Day in MLS, it was said that Atlanta’s chances to make the playoffs were as low as 10 percent. Fast forward to Saturday, Nov. 2 where Atlanta United rallied to defeat Miami 2-1 in Game 2 of the Audi 2024 MLS Cup Playoffs Round One Best-of-3 Series in front of 68,455 spectators at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. The late goal from Xande Silva lifted Atlanta to the win and tied the series.
It is the type of moment and pressure-packed situation that players hope they can achieve at least once in their career. McCarty felt that, ten times over, knowing it would be his last home match of his career.
“So, it was 1-1 when I got subbed out and I was just overcome with gratitude, really emotional. I knew that was going to be my last home game ever,” said McCarty after the match. “And wow, what an atmosphere. Just stuff you dream about. Honestly, our supporters were just incredible... And when Xande scored, man, I said this earlier, but thankfully for Arthur, the roof was open. If it was closed, it would've blown the roof off this place. That's how loud it was. I mean, just incredible.”
The 5-Stripes have defied expectations and kept up with the 2024 Supporters’ Shield winners. Taking on the likes of Miami’s big four - Lionel Messi, Luis Suárez, Jordi Alba, and Sergio Busquets - is no small feat. McCarty, along with other players, has stated the key to success has been playing with “no fear”. It is clear they are leaving everything out on the pitch. There is a top-down effort being put into this Round One matchup, including how Atlanta defends the offensive power that Miami has burned teams with.
“There's always a little bit of uncertainty, but I think the message from the staff, was ‘if you make mistakes, it happens. Just keep going. Don't stop. Don't stop trying to play because against them, you can't let them just have the ball. You can't let them have 65-70% of the ball because you're going to bend and bend and bend and eventually, you'll break’,” said McCarty.
Atlanta United’s next playoff test will be on Saturday, Nov. 9. They will travel back to Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale to play a must-win Game 3. They have already played there twice this season. In the first meeting at Chase Stadium, Atlanta pulled off a dominant 3-1 victory back in May. The second was for Game 1 of this playoff series. The 5-Stripes dropped that game 2-1 but played a hard-fought match. It was their third match in seven days; they also had to deal with unexpected injuries in the first half to two starters.
Heading into Game 3, McCarty and Atlanta United will have more rest and the momentum of a Game 2 victory behind them.
“We're playing like we have nothing to lose, and I love that,” said McCarty. “I mean obviously wish it would've been a little bit more during the season, but that's in the past and it's a new tournament now and we're confident and we feel like we can go down there and win.”
Fans not traveling to Fort Lauderdale can cheer on the 5-Stripes at our watch party at SweetWater Brewery here in Atlanta. Click here for more details. Catch all the action on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV, 8 p.m. ET kickoff. Supporters can also listen to the match on local radio STAR 94 (English) and La Mejor (Spanish).
Unite the 404 Watch Party 🔴 ⚫
Get hype and join us at SweetWater Brewery to watch the Eastern Conference Semifinals on Saturday, Nov. 24th. Watch party begins at 2:30 p.m.
