Atlanta United will return to the pitch on Wednesday after a nearly two-week break, heading to Columbus, Ohio to face off against the Columbus Crew at Lower.com Field. The 5-Stripes are looking to bounce back from a recent road defeat against NYCFC on June 12. Meanwhile, Columbus enters this match on a positive note, having secured a 2-1 victory over Vancouver in their last outing. Currently, the Crew sit in fourth place in the Eastern Conference standings, whereas Atlanta is positioned at 13th.
To improve their chances of earning points, Atlanta United must quickly reconnect and establish their on-field chemistry, especially given that they have only one match scheduled between May 31 and June 25. The team has used the time off to regroup and focus on their training, particularly in finding effective attacking combinations. Recalling their last game against NYCFC, where they created several scoring opportunities but failed to convert, Atlanta aims to be more clinical in front of goal against a formidable Columbus team. Getting an early goal can significantly help the 5-Stripes put pressure on the home side and increase their chances of leaving with three points.
In terms of tactics, it’s vital for Atlanta not to allow the Crew to dominate possession, as they rank first in the league with 59.8% possession and excel in converting that into scoring threats. Columbus has been successful in leading the league with 470 touches inside the opponent’s penalty area and accumulating 29 goals this season, positioning them among the top scorers in Major League Soccer. With key players like Darlington Nagbe controlling midfield and Diego Rossi leading the attack—along with the addition of former Philadelphia attacker Daniel Gazdag—Atlanta’s defense must remain compact and force Columbus to explore wide areas for attacks, avoiding central play where the Crew thrive.
Defensive solidity will be essential for Atlanta in the latter half of the season to climb the conference standings. They have conceded 34 goals over 18 matches, putting intense pressure on their offensive players to score more. Notoriously, Atlanta has struggled with defensive mistakes on the road, which have often led to conceding goals. Therefore, establishing a strong defensive foundation early in the match on Wednesday is paramount. Avoiding major mistakes and ensuring a solid performance in the initial 15 minutes of each half will be crucial for Atlanta to stay in the game, as gifting Columbus an early lead could prove detrimental.
Atlanta is poised for a critical matchup and with strategic adjustments and improved execution, they can turn their fortunes around in this away game.