After pasting a plodding Nashville SC team during their home opener last Saturday, the Red Bulls look to continue the good vibes on the road as they travel to Mercedes-Benz Stadium to battle Atlanta United, who are looking to run circles around them on the plastic carpet in front of an expected raucous crowd.
Head Coach Sandro Schwartz received some good news that midfielder Cameron Harper’s injury was not as severe as first thought. Buoyed by the news that one of his important players will be sidelined for only a few weeks, instead of months. In addition, star midfielder Lewis Morgan will be sidelined with a knee injury he picked up during training a week ago. After speaking with him about his progress, he was assured that both players would return to the starting lineup very soon.
The two squads will face each other for the 18th time across all competitions, including a 4-2-2 record on the road. The last victory for the Red Bulls in Atlanta was on August 17, 2022, when they won 2-1. Lewis Morgan and John Tolkin scored for the Red Bulls, while Josef Martinez netted the only goal for the hosts in stoppage time.
One of the highlights of the upcoming match is that both teams have improved their offense by adding key signings over the offseason. While the Red Bulls were able to get two past Joe Willis at Sports Illustrated Stadium during their home opener, Atlanta United got shut out on the road in Charlotte, after scoring three goals against Montreal the week before. Newly signed forward, Latte Lath already leads the team with two, and Miguel Alrinon, returning from the English Premier League side of Newcastle United, has already bagged an assist.
Red Bulls goalkeeper Carlos Coronel pointed out the importance of bouncing back after a loss to open the season. While the field’s surface may be an issue, and he isn’t unfamiliar with it, he feels his teammates can hold their own to get a result. While Miguel Almiron’s return to the Five Stripes can spark an attack, especially with the new added pieces on offense, which can pose quite a challenge, he feels that the team has more than enough to get the job done.
“Winning at home was crucial for us. We aim to be strong on our turf, and this first game sent a clear message. This victory was significant. In Cincinnati, we performed well, although they managed to score once. However, quickly bouncing back in the next game was also a positive sign for us.”
Sandro Schwartz is mainly focused on winning on the road against Atlanta United on Saturday despite most of his team being injured. While Mohammed Sofo proved his worth just seven minutes into the match against Nashville, expect some additional members from RB2 (or off the bench) to pick up the slack while the starters work their way back from injury. Having a deep bench this season gives him some comfort and flexibility to navigate this rough patch early this season.
“This is a strong team, particularly in their offensive setup, featuring Alexey Miranchuk as a playmaker and Miguel Almiron as a right winger who often moves inward. Emmanuel Latte Lath plays as a clear striker, making deep runs and holding the ball when needed, while Saba Lobjanidze has recently taken up the left side. The offensive structure is solid, but it’s crucial for the entire team to defend collectively, not just the center backs or fullbacks. Our pressing begins with the strikers and six positions, and we need to stay compact while seizing opportunities during transitions.”
Former NYCFC Head Coach Ronny Delia has a background with the Red Bulls and is familiar with the team. Emmanuel Latte Lath may pose a significant challenge for the Red Bulls’ defense, as he has recorded the most shots on goal in the last two matches. Nevertheless, Schwartz understands that the atmosphere at Mercedes-Benz Stadium can be an advantage for the home side, but he feels his team is up to the challenge of keeping the momentum going into Matchday three.
Prospective Lineups:
Atlanta United FC: Brad Guzan, Luis Abram, Stian Gregersen, Derrick Williams, Matthew Edwards, Bartoz Slisz, Aleksey Miranchuk, Miguel Almiron, Emmanuel Latte Lath, Saba Lobjanidze
New York Red Bulls: Carlos Coronel, Omar Valencia, Alexander Hack, Sean Nealis, Dylan Nealis, Noah Elie, Peter Stroud, Daniel Edelman, Emil Forsberg, Erik Maxim Choupo-Moting, Mohammed Sofo