Maybe you didn’t expect to read a story about Atlanta United training on Halloween, two weeks after Decision Day. Maybe you didn’t anticipate a November match on Atlanta United’s schedule. A few weeks ago, you may have thought by this point Atlanta United would be in the offseason, prepping for 2025, watching the Audi 2024 MLS Cup Playoffs from afar. Yes, you, dear reader.
If you did, don’t worry. You’re not alone. Even Brad Guzan recognizes how precious these moments are, how rarely they come and how they can’t be taken for granted:
“When you're in these types of situations, there's no guarantee that you're going to 1.) be back in the playoffs next year, or 2.) go on some sort of run and have success,” he said. “So, when you're in these moments, you've got to try and enjoy them.”
Not many people expected Atlanta United’s season would continue this late into the year. Not going into Decision Day, when Atlanta had a 10 percent chance, maybe less, to qualify for the MLS Cup Playoffs. Not when the team needed three points against red-hot Orlando plus a combination of other conference outcomes to fall in their direction. Not going into a Wild Card game, a long trip north of the border, to face a surging Montréal team – and their determined striker. Not going into penalties, the match tied after regulation, a situation Atlanta United has not had much luck with in 2024.
And yet, here we are.
All those things happened – perhaps best encapsulated when Atlanta United made all five (ALL FIVE!) of their PKs in Montréal. No field player from Atlanta missed that night, and 40-year-old goalkeeper Brad Guzan came up with the save to send his team through to the Round One matches. Can you believe it? Atlanta United found their way here, and the season goes on.
"The way we got here was probably not how everybody drew it up, but the resilience in the team to keep fighting, to keep showing up every day. They're in a great place," interim head coach Rob Valentino told local reporters Thursday.
Now, it all comes down to the next match. Saturday night at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. No. 9 seed Atlanta United vs. No. 1 seed Inter Miami CF. The only home match for Atlanta United in the MLS Cup Playoffs.
Atlanta United must, once again, look their own unfavorable odds in the eye, stop one of the best squads in MLS history, the same team that recorded the most points in the table ever in the regular season, defend a generational, world-class star that many pundits picked for MLS MVP, and get a victory to extend the series and force a Game 3.
Otherwise, the season ends – on Atlanta’s own turf.
Who says no this time?
“This is where they wanted to be,” Valentino said. “We have a tough task on Saturday, but we're at home. We feel confident that there's going to be a good crowd there. It'll be a joy on Saturday night to just go and play free and enjoy the moment.”
Loyal to the 404 🔴 ⚫
Win or season over. Join us at Mercedes-Benz Stadium for Game 2 of the Round One Best-of-3 series against Inter Miami CF on Saturday, Nov. 2.
Some relief coming off a condensed schedule
Atlanta United experienced this week something they haven’t gotten in a while: a full week of training and preparation.
Game 1 of the Best-of-3 series with Inter Miami last Friday marked an incredibly condensed stretch for Atlanta United. Within a span of seven days, Atlanta United played three matches – all on the road. Atlanta United traveled to Orlando for Decision Day on October 19, traveled to Montréal on October 22, then went to Miami on October 25.
That’s a lot of travel, a lot of flights, a lot of getting home at 3 or 4 in the morning, and not a lot of time to rest and recover. The time in-between Games 1 and 2 falls more in line with the cadence of the regular season, playing Saturday to Saturday. The time gives the group a chance to get healthy and rest their legs. Midfielder Alexey Miranchuk called this time “definitely needed.”
“The first day back, it felt like there was a whole different buzz and energy to them,” Valentino said. “They got they got sleep, they got proper nutrition, they just got rest.”
Valentino continued that while the team looked rested, at the same time, the team didn’t look settled. His group kept the ‘chip on the shoulder’ attitude that has driven them the past few games. The mentality is about, once again, not looking too far ahead and pouring all their focus into the next match.
'Pressure is a privilege’ - going up against top seed Inter Miami CF in a must-win match
Inter Miami took Game 1 of the series, a 2-1 win at Chase Stadium, which means Game 2 is a must-win for Atlanta United to continue the club’s playoff campaign. But Atlanta United is no stranger to elimination matches. Going back to Decision Day, the 5-Stripes have had their backs against the wall and faced elimination twice and will a third time Saturday.
Decisions will be made for both sides in terms of lineups. For Miami, the group has what Valentino called a “plethora of options.” Head coach Tata Martino’s starters and rotations could potentially look different than what we saw in Game 1.
For Atlanta United, there’s guaranteed to be some changes. Valentino confirmed Thursday that the team will be without starting fullback Brooks Lennon. Lennon was injured in the first half of Game 1 in Fort Lauderdale and will be undergoing surgery on Thursday. The club also announced this week that winger Edwin Mosquera had successful surgery on his left meniscus. He’s expected to be out 4-6 weeks.
Stian Gregersen also had to leave Game 1 due to injury, and Valentino said the center back’s status for Saturday is more day-to-day (we’ll likely know more when the team releases its Availability Report on Friday). Gregersen was seen training individually on the pitch Thursday while the larger group worked through drills on the farther end.
In terms of preparing for Miami, Valentino said that rest and recovery was the most important note for the team to be ready for Saturday. Atlanta United knows the personnel they’re facing. Besides some tactical adjustments given player availability, Valentino will look for his team to be better in some areas. At the core, Atlanta United’s interim manager still wants his team to play on the front foot and play with intensity.
“We have to look at how we can be better, to not have as much pressure on us and to do better with the ball is a big, big emphasis,” Valentino said. “Also, be organized defensively and stop the chances that they do create, which they've done all year to any opponent, no matter the shape and because the players they do have.”
Mercedes-Benz Stadium is opening the 300 level, so be loud and expect a full crowd on hand
As announced earlier this week, Mercedes-Benz Stadium is opening the 300-level, meaning this match will be full venue.
Any Atlanta United supporter through the years knows that there have been some epic historic matches at Mercedes-Benz Stadium when the venue is at full capacity. The 2018 MLS Cup, the 2023 season opener against San Jose Earthquakes, the most recent full-venue match against none other than Inter Miami. Some incredible memories during the club’s eight years in MLS were made when the stadium was at full force.
Most importantly, it gives 17s an opportunity to create as hostile an environment as possible for the visitors. Opening more seats makes the stadium louder and rowdier for the opposition, which is so important in this crucial must-win match. Remember, Atlanta United did not lose to Inter Miami CF during the regular season. Last time the Herons played in Atlanta, they drew Atlanta United 2-2. And before that in 2023, Atlanta United tallied five goals and beat Inter Miami 5-2. At home, Atlanta owns a 4-1-2 (W-L-T) record all-time against Miami and has outscored Miami 13-7 in those home matches.
“This is what we need,” Miranchuk said. “[It’s] Not every game you play against this team. The stadium is going to be full. 70,000 behind our back. We need them. Looking forward to it.”
Players and coaches have been calling on the 17s all week to show up and show out for their hometown team. The team feeds off the energy of the crowd. Today, Valentino told supporters, “Don’t stop cheering.” With a full venue of supporters behind them, the group feels like they can get a win against the No. 1 seed in the conference and send this series back to Miami for a deciding Game 3.
“We're exactly where we wanted to be, we wanted to be in the playoffs. We wanted to be fighting to stay alive,” Valentino said. “I know we're playing against a fantastic team, but we're really looking forward to the challenge on Saturday in front of our home fans. That’s a big boost for everybody.”
