Atlanta United returns home to Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Sunday afternoon to take on Toronto FC. The 5-Stripes are looking for three points at home to climb up the table. Toronto comes into the match sitting just one point ahead of Atlanta in the Eastern Conference standings. Toronto is coming off two consecutive draws, while Atlanta suffered a road defeat at Colorado Rapids last time out. Let’s take a look at the Tools to the Match presented by Home Depot against Toronto FC.
Get the lead early
Scoring early has not been a strength for Atlanta so far this season. Only 11 of the team’s 31 goals have come in the first half. Only three of those goals were scored in the opening 15 minutes. The 5-Stripes have had to come from behind quite a bit this season. On Sunday, against another struggling team in Toronto, scoring early will be one of the keys to success. Toronto is 0-11-4 (W-L-T) when allowing the first goal. They are 0-7-4 when trailing at halftime this season. On the contrast, the visitors are 4-0-0 when they lead at the break. Scoring the first goal, and scoring early in the match, could give Atlanta the boost it needs to keep three points at home this weekend.
Limit Mihailovic’s influence
Toronto has undergone some major roster changes this season. They made a blockbuster move to bring in Djordje Mihailovic from the Colorado Rapids. The midfielder had been playing at a high level in Colorado with 16 goal contributions in 24 matches. He’s added two assists to his total in two games since joining Toronto FC. Historically, Mihailovic has been a player who has had success against Atlanta, registering seven goal contributions in eight career regular season matches. Atlanta’s midfield and backline are going to have to be in constant communication to try and limit the influence Mihailovic has on the visitor’s attack. If the 5-Stripes can shut him down, they will give themselves the best chance for a win.
Keep playing through Miranchuk
Alexey Miranchuk has been on a scoring spree over the past month or so. He’s scored in five of the last six matches in all competitions. He’s tied a career-best mark with three consecutive league matches with a goal. The midfielder has done it in a variety of ways as well, scoring off a set piece in Montreal, a long-range strike in Colorado and a clever combination play against Atlas FC in Leagues Cup. He’s continued to lead Atlanta’s attack in key passes this season as well with 43 coming into this weekend. If the 5-Stripes can continue to play through and feed Miranchuk in those dangerous areas in the final third, good things are bound to happen.
Fans can tune in on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV on Sunday afternoon at 4:00 p.m. ET when the action kicks off at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia. To hear the action on radio, tune into Sports Radio 92.9 The Game (English) or La Mejor – AM 1600 (Spanish).
