Atlanta United traveled to Missouri for their final preseason match in 2023 to face St. Louis City SC, which will debut in MLS this season.
It was a closed door match at the beautiful CityPark, which will host its first MLS match on March 4th v Charlotte FC. It was Atlanta United's first match up vs St. Louis and the only one of the year, unless both clubs make it to MLS Cup, as the MLS newcomer is not on Atlanta's schedule for the Regular Season and they'll play in the Western Conference.
Gonzalo Pineda's lineup for this match saw Luke Brennan starting in the midfield, after the youngster scored Atlanta's third goal on Wednesday vs Toluca during the American Family Insurance Cup. Brad Guzan and Miles Robinson were back in the Starting XI while Derrick Ettiene Jr. and Luis Abram, who already received his International Transfer Certificate (ITC) and P-1 Visa, were included in the team for the first time.
Luiz Araújo scored first for Atlanta in the tenth minute and after the home team tied the match, Thiago Almada scored from the penalty spot just before the half to give Atlanta the lead, after a handball in the box. The second half saw Etienne Jr. and Abram come in for their first minutes with the club, and Atlanta closed the preseason with an important 2-1 win away.
Atlanta United will host the San Jose Earthquakes on Saturday, February 25 for our 2023 Home Opener at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, with all three levels of the venue open. Tickets are selling fast, so make sure you secure your spot for our season kick off. St. Louis will make their MLS debut visiting Austin FC next Saturday.
