MLS

Atlanta United vs Chattanooga FC, 2022 U.S. Open Cup 3rd Round: Match Preview

Published

1 month ago

April 19, 2022

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One thousand eight hundred and ninety-three days have come and gone since Atlanta United and Chattanooga FC last met. The Five Stripes’ first-ever game as a team came against Chattanooga in February 2017, with the good guys winning 4-0 off goals from Hector Villalba, Yamil Asad, Josef Martinez, and Andrew Carleton. A lot has happened in Five Stripes’ land since that historical victory, but once again these two teams are on a collision course. Atlanta begins its US Open Cup defense (champions for three years running) in the third round against Chattanooga this Wednesday at Fifth Third Bank Stadium.

Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

A repeat of 2017’s scoreline sure would feel nice for a goal-starved Atlanta attack. United has been shutout for two games running and left a handful of goals on the table in last weekend’s 0-0 draw with FC Cincinnati thanks to wayward finishing. Failing to score at home against one of the worst defenses in the league is bad enough, but Atlanta should be able to put up at least a couple of strikes against Chattanooga.

Chattanooga currently plies its trade in the National Independent Soccer Association (NISA), the third tier of American soccer. It beat USL side Memphis 901 FC by a score of 3-1 in the previous Open Cup round, so Chattanooga is no stranger to taking down teams from higher leagues. It has struggled in NISA, however, where it sits 4th of 5th in Group A on two points with zero wins from its first three games.

Predicted Starting XIs

Heavy squad rotation seems inevitable considering the massive talent gap between Atlanta and Chattanooga, along with a visit to Inter Miami pending on Sunday. Newcomers Thiago Almada and Ronaldo Cisneros could both get the start to build chemistry and momentum in the final third. A Santiago Sosa-Franco Ibarra pivot seems like Atlanta’s ideal midfield until Hyndman and Rossetto come back, so they could get the run-out against Chattanooga as well. Other than that, Gonzalo Pineda is likely to play the back-ups.

Prediction: Atlanta United 3-1 Chattanooga FC

Cisneros will open his Atlanta account with a brace before Jake Mulraney adds a late third, but Atlanta’s second-string defense won’t be good enough to keep the shutout.

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MLS

Team of the Week presented by Audi: Austin FC dominate lineup in Week 12

Published

56 mins ago

May 20, 2022

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Team of the Week (3-4-3, left to right): Brad Stuver (ATX) – Alexander Callens (NYC), Damion Lowe (MIA), Ruben Gabrielsen (ATX) – Xherdan Shaqiri (CHI), Jamiro Monteiro (SJ), Hany Mukhtar (NSH), Sebastian Driussi (ATX) – Lucas Cavallini (VAN), Raul Ruidiaz (SEA), Daniel Salloi (SKC)

Bench: Drake Callender (MIA), Yeimar Gomez Andrade (SEA), Alex Muyl (NSH), Alfredo Morales (NYC), Jackson Yueill (SJ), Emanuel Reynoso (MIN), Omir Fernandez (RBNY)

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MLS

Canada: 5 priorities the potential Nations League roster must address

Published

2 hours ago

May 20, 2022

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“He likes to play between the two center backs, he likes to lead the line, he can run behind the line and stretch the line, which I like,” Herdman said back in November. “I think that is a facet that can help complement other players and the way that we play. Often when we play with that No. 9 in Johnny [David] or Cyle [Larin], they want to be receiving in those pockets of space off the front. At times, we get left with a line that is not stretched. That space doesn’t really open up. I think Ike gives us that opportunity.”

Ugbo only played 53 minutes during the Octagonal across four substitute appearances. It’s clear, though, that he can be an impactful player, even off the bench, so giving him a start to build chemistry with either David or Larin would behoove everyone. If they find that connection on the pitch now, it’ll be a seamless change when Ugbo checks into a game at the World Cup.

More than anything, Ugbo deserves a shot given his strong finish to the season in his first proper run in a top-five European league. Herdman has constantly spoken about wanting his players in “Tier 1” leagues, now it’s time to reward those who transition to that environment without a hitch.

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