Atlanta United vs New York City

Mercedes-Benz Stadium is the venue as Atlanta United and New York City lock horns in a high-stakes Major League Soccer showdown.

Atlanta United’s way to the Eastern Conference playoffs returned to course with a comprehensive 3-1 home win over DC United last time out, as Gonzalo Pineda’s side finally halted an uneventful run of four consecutive MLS draws. However, that victory is one of only two in their last nine league matches (D4, L3), underlining fears among the home fans about Atlanta’s prospects of extending a six-point lead on 10th-placed Charlotte. The ‘Five Stripes’ can draw confidence from rediscovering their scoring touch, having netted 3+ goals in four of their last six MLS outings. Considering three of those four matches came at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, it’s hardly a surprise that 63% of Atlanta’s MLS goals this season have come on home turf (22/35).

Meanwhile, visiting New York city notched up a last-gasp equalizer to hold Columbus Crew to a 1-1 home draw last time out, extending their underwhelming winless run to nine consecutive MLS games (D5, L4). A lack of scoring prowess saw New York net under 1.5 goals eight times during that nine-game sequence, including two scoring blanks in their last three league outings. With that in mind, the visitors should consider themselves lucky for commencing this matchday only three points adrift of the playoff line, albeit hitting the road may not aid their cause. As one of just two sides in the Eastern Conference yet to win away from home this season (D4, L5), Nick Cushing’s men take this trip having bagged just five goals on nine MLS travels.