Match preview: Squad depth to be tested, new faces called upon against New York City FC

One of Atlanta United's cruxes this season is quickly becoming a strength. 

As the roster fills in from summer signings, the 5-Stripes find themselves with options up and down the club. They'll need it Saturday night, September 26 when New York City FC comes to town. The 7:30 p.m. ET kickoff falls in the middle of an international break that will see Atlanta United down five First Team players due to FIFA's window for international matches, including Miguel Almirón, Alexey Miranchuk, Júnior Alonso, Paulo Díaz and Fafa Picault.

Head coach Tata Martino pointed to the success of Atlanta United's Second Team as a sign of the club's health and named a couple of potential candidates to join the First Team for the weekend's match. It's a fixture with a recent history of chaos and one that has serious playoff picture implications. You can still get tickets to watch the 5-Stripes at Mercedes-Benz Stadium here.

Confidence in depth down the roster

Martino tends to be fairly transparent when it comes to the players he'll have available on a week-by-week basis. During Thursday's media availability, he named two Atlanta United 2 players that are in line to join the First Team via Short-Term Agreements: Daniel Chica and Cameron Dunbar. 

It's a natural move for a team that will be short a fair few starters. It's also a timely opportunity for Chica and Dunbar, who are fresh off a Sunday win that qualified Atlanta United 2 for the MLS NEXT Pro Playoffs for the first time in club history. 

Chica and Dunbar have been two of the side's most consistent contributors this season and will get the chance to go through a matchday at the top level. It's not unlikely one or both of them feature given the squad numbers.  

"Here, there is a combination related to the Second Team's systems, so the players' adaptation to what we intend doesn't change," Martino said in Spanish. They can do it, and it also has a lot to do with how the second team carried the season forward and the development of the players it has so that we can later call them up to the First Team."

Martino didn't give off an ounce of concern regarding the absences. He said the coaching staff was aware a significant amount of departures for international break would be a possibility. 

"It's temporary, just a few days," Martino said. "... No, I don't think there will be much change. In fact, today we had a very good training session. I mean, it seems to me that we have an important roster with depth, and that allows us to be optimistic about what's ahead." 

"If there's a time to pick up form, it's now"

With all the summer window transfer additions settled in and 2s reinforcements inbound, the 5-Stripes are starting to hit a stride, especially defensively. Atlanta United has kept two consecutive road clean sheets, including their most recent 1-0 win over Portland Timbers. 

Elías Báez called out how collective defending, with the wingers tracking back to create numerical advantages, has been a part of what the 5-Stripes are doing well on that end. 

"It's what we're all trying to do together, trying to keep a clean sheet," Báez said in Spanish. "The sacrifice that everyone defensively contributes their bit, and that's why it's reflected in the defense we had in the last two games."​

Versatility will be at a premium against NYCFC. Atlanta's aim is to keep their defensive solidity even without Paulo Díaz and Júnior Alonso in the center of the back line. Tomás Jacob may also be in doubt to feature after being substituted with an injury last Saturday. 

Matt Edwards recalled last year's 4-3 win against NYCFC at home, hoping his side wouldn't have to comeback from a 3-1 deficit again this time around. Edwards, who had himself a productive substitute appearance in replacement of Jacob against Portland, should be an important piece of the puzzle. 

"We'll see how things go, but the good thing about me is I'm comfortable playing anywhere," Edwards said. "Wherever they need me, I'm there for the team."

New York City might not have some of the same absences as Atlanta United Saturday. Nicolás Fernández has 22 goal contributions on the season and fixes to start up front. One spot they will be down a man is in goal, as U.S. Men's National Team keeper Matt Freese is out on international duty. 

Martino nor his squad are too focused on the specifics of which team has more of their preferred players, though. The focus is still internal from the 5-Stripes, and they're preaching flexibility. 

"The aim is that we can have a team that can recognize all the situations a match has and have answers for all those situations," Martino said. "While there is one way that I like the most, I don't want to cling exclusively to that way, and I like to give the players other kinds of tools to resolve other types of matches."

The match Saturday night is set to be a playoff six-pointer, as NYCFC sits just outside the Play-In spots six points ahead of the 5-Stripes. That won't change much for Atlanta United, who have repeatedly said every match is a final for them going forward. 

"I think the best part about it is, if there's a time to pick up form, it's now," Jay Fortune said Tuesday. "If there's time to have that confidence into whoever comes onto the field will help the team in a positive way, it just helps the group get closer together and have a lot of belief in each other. I think once you have that, once you have a group of players that are willing to work for each other and put their bodies on the line to do what's needed, it's a recipe for success and steps in the right direction."