Match Preview Presented by Lexus: Atlanta United FC vs. Austin FC | July 9, 2022 | Austin FC

The Verde & Black are rolling. The Membership is unbeaten in its final 4 matches and has gained three consecutive away video games, a run which sees Austin sit second within the MLS Supporters’ Protect standings. Subsequent up is the finale of a three-match highway swing: a visit east to tackle Atlanta United FC on Saturday evening (kickoff at 6:00 p.m. CT/7:00 p.m. ET).

It will likely be the first-ever assembly between the 2 groups, and ATXFC will look to proceed its wonderful away type in opposition to Jap Convention opponents this season – the Verde & Black are 3-0-0 in such matches.

Austin is presently tied for the league’s finest highway file, with six wins and 19 factors accrued from ten away video games. After this weekend’s match in opposition to Atlanta, 9 of ATXFC’s closing 15 matches are at residence, and with 34 factors already on the board, the workforce is trying to set itself up properly for playoff qualification.

The Membership has proven a exceptional capability to beat multi-goal deficits: in 4 of 5 matches wherein Austin FC trailed by two objectives in 2022, it got here again to earn factors, with two wins and two attracts. The newest such comeback, on Monday in opposition to Colorado, was spurred on by MLS Crew of the Week performances from Jon Gallagher and Sebastián Driussi.

Gallagher grew to become the primary defender in Membership historical past to file a multi-assist efficiency, establishing Ethan Finlay and Driussi for first-half objectives. Add that to his game-winning help to Maxi Urruti in Austin’s 1-0 win over CF Montréal in June, and it’s been a wonderful few weeks for the Irish left again. This Saturday will see Gallagher return to his former membership in Atlanta, for whom he made 16 appearances through the 2020 season.

Driussi continues to supply at an MVP degree, bagging his tenth aim of the season in opposition to Colorado. That whole ties him for the MLS Golden Boot lead, and makes him the primary Austin FC participant to achieve double-digit objectives in a season. The workforce is unbeaten (8-3-0) within the final 11 matches wherein the Argentine Designated Participant has scored.

Atlanta United FC Outlook

Atlanta sits in eleventh place within the Jap Convention and has just one win in its final seven matches, however don’t let that idiot you – United usually are not a simple opponent, particularly at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. With one of many few residence atmospheres in MLS that rivals Q2 Stadium, the 5 Stripes have gained factors from 7 of 8 residence matches in 2022.

Although Head Coach Gonzalo Pineda’s facet is coping with numerous accidents to key gamers – equivalent to U.S. worldwide heart again Miles Robinson – three of its most harmful attacking threats are match and firing in Josef Martínez, Thiago Almada, and Dom Dwyer. Martínez and Dwyer are confirmed MLS goal-scorers with 179 profession tallies between them, whereas Almada – a brand new arrival forward of this season – has three objectives and 4 assists by 12 appearances.

As a membership, Atlanta is used to successful, with an MLS Cup, a U.S. Open Cup, and a Campeones Cup in its trophy cupboard throughout its brief historical past. Austin’s recipe for achievement on Saturday will contain overcoming the tough highway setting, adjusting to taking part in on turf, preserving Atlanta’s attackers quiet, and pressuring an injury-depleted backline. If the workforce can try this, it might take the lead within the Supporters’ Protect race with a victory plus an LAFC loss Friday evening.

Possible Atlanta United FC Lineup

(4-2-3-1, R-L) – GK: Rocco Rios Novo; Aiden McFadden, Alan Franco, George Campbell, Caleb Wiley; Amar Sejdic, Matheus Rossetto; Luiz Araujo, Thiago Almada, Marcelino Moreno; Josef Martínez