Atlanta United is back at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Saturday as the 5-Stripes take on CF Montréal. The team looks to get back in the win column after wrapping up a three-match road trip in all competitions with two consecutive draws. Saturday also marks the return to a near full house at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, and Atlanta will look to feed off that energy from the rowdy and proud 17s to secure three points. Let’s take a look at the Tools to the Match presented by The Home Depot.
Continuing Home Dominance over Montréal
Atlanta United has faced CF Montréal three times at home in MLS competition since joining the league. The 5-Stripes own a perfect 3-0-0 record in those matches and will look to add a fourth victory this weekend. Atlanta’s offense has produced eight goals in those three home victories against Montréal. After getting a full week to recover and train, Atlanta will try to take advantage of opportunities early on to not give CF Montréal any hope of getting a result.
One of the biggest factors could be the crowd on Saturday. Atlanta United holds every major attendance record in MLS, and playing in front of a near full house will certainly provide the team with a boost.
“Yeah, I’m definitely excited to play in front of a full house again,” Miles Robinson told reporters this week. “It’s been a long time coming. It will probably be national news or something with the crowd we are expecting. I’m so excited to get back to a full crowd at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Just thinking about it gets me happy.”
Keeping Montréal’s attack quiet
Through the first month of the season, Montréal’s attack ranks in the top-five in created chances with 46 (through five matches). Six of the team’s eight goals have come inside the box, with Mason Toye and Bjorn Johnson leading the attack with two goals each. The midfield features USMNT international Djordje Mihailovic, a young player who has scored one goal and one assist.
CF Montréal is coming off a 2-0 victory in midweek against Inter Miami. Johnson scored his first two goals for the team. Atlanta United’s defense ranks among the best in MLS coming into this weekend, and they will look to shut down a dangerous Montréal side on Saturday night.
Turning crosses and combination play into goals
Brooks Lennon is coming off a career-high five chances created last week against Inter Miami. His production has been excellent since joining Atlanta United. As a whole, Atlanta United has been utilizing the flanks effectively in the early parts of the season. The team’s crossing accuracy from open play ranks third in MLS at 30.61 percent. The team’s overall passing accuracy while in the attacking half is the best in MLS coming into this weekend at 81.87 percent. Those numbers have been climbing over the first few weeks as the team continues to learn and implement head coach Gabriel Heinze’s system and style of play.
The 5-Stripes will look to turn some of those crosses or combinations in the attacking half into goals when they host CF Montreal on Saturday night. Kickoff is set for 7pm ET and fans can tune in on Bally Sports Southeast and Sports Radio 92.9 The Game.
