It’s finally here. Can you believe it? Nearly three years of waiting has finally paid off as tonight is the night Atlanta United play their first MLS match. What a test they’ll have in front of them when they step on the field at Bobby Dodd Stadium in the New York Red Bulls.
Arguably one of the most successful franchises in the entire league over the past five years, Jesse Marsch’s side will come into this match in interesting fashion. Less than three days after playing a CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinal second leg in Vancouver, the artists formerly known as the MetroStars will likely be fighting tired legs and minds.
While Atlanta will certainly be at a disadvantage in the MLS experience department, they’ll surely be the fresher team. Coupled with the fact that adrenaline will be at dangerous levels with nearly 55,000 fans behind them, they should be more than up for the occasion.
These two team’s styles should make for a very entertaining match-up. Both sides like to press high up the field to create turnovers in dangerous spots. Atlanta proved in preseason that they want to begin matches with a high intensity press and it’s paid off in the form of early goals. In each of the club’s last three preseason matches they capitalized on their early pressure with a goal in the opening 10 minutes. Will they attempt the same all-out press against the Red Bulls? We shouldn’t put it past Tata Martino to try and get off to the same quick start in this match.
Win, lose or draw this will be a special occasion for the city and a moment talked about for as long as the history of soccer in Atlanta is written. Arthur Blank, the technical staff, the players and the supporters have all been waiting for this moment. It should be an epic night. Who’s ready to make some history?
Pre-match Reading: Lineup Prediction, Three Questions w/Once A Metro, What to watch for
Atlanta United Lineup:
Atlanta, the Starting XI for your first ever @MLS match#UniteAndConquer pic.twitter.com/J0ASu4r1D0
— Atlanta United FC (@ATLUTD) March 5, 2017
New York Red Bulls Lineup:
#RBNY STARTING XI pic.twitter.com/gc0Q2FohSt
— New York Red Bulls (@NewYorkRedBulls) March 5, 2017
How to Watch
Kickoff Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
Venue: Bobby Dodd Stadium, Atlanta, GA
Available TV: Fox Sports 1, Fox Deportes
Available Streams: Fox Sports Go, fuboTV (free trial), Sling TV, PS Vue
Available Radio: 92.9 The Game
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