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With the end of the MLS is Back tournament, all eyes will be on Nashville SC as they face FC Dallas for the return of the regular season tonight. As both sides were absent from the tournament, they will face each other twice before the rest of the league returns to action.
These fixtures should attract plenty of attention from Atlanta as Nashville will be the first side the Five Stripes face in the post-de Boer era. It could provide a nice opportunity for both Stephen Glass and the fans to do some scouting on the upcoming opponent.
In the Eastern Conference standings, Nashville sit 13th having taken zero points from their opening two fixtures but will look to return strong for the remainder of their inaugural season. Depending on the results of their fixtures with FC Dallas, the side could put pressure on Atlanta and move closer to a playoff position. Atlanta currently holds the last playoff spot in 7th with six points, and having played the three extra fixtures in the MLS is Back tournament.
Atlanta won 2-1 in Nashville in their opening fixture of the 2020 season prior to the COVID-19 league suspension. It will be interesting to see how the side from Music City returns after a much longer hiatus than the rest of the league. However, Atlanta will be looking to get a fresh start just like their Southern neighbors after the early exit from Orlando.