The end of the longest road stretch of the season comes this weekend for Atlanta United. The team will head north of the border to Canada when it faces Toronto FC. After earning a road point last weekend against D.C. United, the 5-Stripes hope to go one better and bring home all three points. Both teams are in need of points as they look to climb back into the race for an Eastern Conference playoff spot. Let’s take a look at the Tools to the Match presented by Home Depot against Toronto FC.
Build on strong defensive performance
Last weekend Atlanta achieved something it had only done one other time this season, a clean sheet. The 5-Stripes' defense was stout against D.C. United’s attack. Homegrown center back Efraín Morales had an outstanding match going up against one of the toughest tests in MLS in Christian Benteke. As a team, Atlanta did a good job in not allowing D.C. a lot of scoring opportunities. It only conceded one shot on target in 90 minutes of action.
Atlanta needs to build on that defensive effort and look to get another clean sheet against Toronto this weekend. The last time Atlanta registered back-to-back clean sheets was August 2023.
Prepare for a new-look Toronto attack
Toronto FC are a team that looked very differently just a couple of weeks ago. Lorenzo Insigne and Federico Bernardeschi are no longer part of the squad now, and the team will be relying on some different attacking options until the Secondary Transfer Window opens up in MLS on July 24. Theo Corbeanu leads the team with four goals scored this year. Ola Brynhildsen and Deandre Kerr are two other players who have been playing in the attacking line. The new-look Toronto attack could throw some surprises at Atlanta’s defense this weekend. One of the constant threats over the years has been Canadian international Jonathan Osorio. Atlanta’s midfield needs to limit his influence on the game in order to collect all three points this weekend.
Find a spark in final third
Atlanta’s attack continues to try and find its form and rhythm as the team has scored just one goal in four matches. It was still able to earn a road point last weekend at D.C. United thanks to their defensive effort. They have continued to work on their attack and are trying to find that spark that can propel them forward in this second half of the campaign. Alexey Miranchuk continues to lead the team with 33 key passes. Latte Lath is the team’s scoring leader with five goals. Saba Lobjanidze leads the team with six assists. Head Coach Ronny Deila moved back to a 4-3-3 set up last weekend in order to get all of those players on the pitch from the start. Another full week of practice and another opportunity awaits this weekend for the 5-Stripes to find the back of the net.
Fans can tune in on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV on Saturday night at 7:30 p.m. ET when the action kicks off at BMO Field in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. To hear the action on radio, tune into Sports Radio 92.9 The Game (English) or La Mejor – AM 1600 (Spanish).
Atlanta United still has two more matches on the road before coming back home for a double match week vs Chicago Fire (July 16 | 7:30 pm) and a thrilling rivalry match up vs Charlotte FC (July 19 | 7:30 pm), where once again the 17s will show why Mercedes-Benz Stadium was named No. 1 Loudest Stadium in MLS by Newsweek. Tickets are still available for both matches.
